Shafali Verma Excluded from India's ODI Squad for Australia Series

Shafali Verma Excluded from India's ODI Squad for Australia Series

Dynamic opener Shafali Verma has been dropped from India's squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia. Verma was dropped on the back of a poor run of form, scoring just 56 runs in the recent home series against New Zealand. In fact, the last of Verma's four ODI half-centuries came in July 2022.

Another notable absentee from the 16-member squad is high-quality off-spinner Shreyanka Patil, who was not in the playing XI during the New Zealand series due to a shin splint. In fact, she played in the T20 World Cup only after a period with a hand injury. D. Hemlata, Uma Chhetri and Sayali Satgar have been left out of the team that defeated New Zealand. 

Squad:Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Priya Punia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Yastika Bhatia (WK), Richa Ghosh (WK), Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma, Minnu Mani, Priya Mishra, Radha Yadav, Titas Sadhu, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Saima Thakor 

Meanwhile, India's tour of Australia will see the return of Harleen Deol, who played her last game for India in December 2023. Deol sustained a knee injury while playing for Gujarat Giants, which restricted his participation in just three WPL games this year and required a lengthy recovery and rehabilitation period.

Meanwhile, Richa Ghosh has returned to the team after missing the New Zealand series due to her Grade 12 board exams. There is no return yet for legspinner Asha Shobna and seamer Pooja Bhastrakar, who missed that series due to injuries in the previous T20 World Cup.

The selectors also chose to reward Minnu Mani with a first-time call-up to the ODI squad, as well as fast bowler Titas Sadhu. The 20-year-old Sadhu was an unused member of the ODI squad in last year's home series against Australia. He made a mark in the first T20I against the same opposition in Navi Mumbai, taking 4 for 17. Sadhu also featured in a pair of T20Is against Bangladesh in May this year but was then sidelined due to an injury. NCA

Mani had earlier captained India A in a 2-1 series loss against Australia A in August this year. He was rewarded for his easy-going contribution with the bat down the stretch, scoring 62 runs and picking up four wickets at a decent economy in three games.

Tejal Hasabnis retains his place in the team after a brilliant knock of 42 in the first ODI against New Zealand that allowed India to post a competitive score after struggling early on. Priya Punia, who last featured in a home ODI against South Africa and later played for the 'A' team in Australia, has been welcomed back into the side

1st ODI - December 5, Allan Border Field, Brisbane

2nd ODI - December 8, Allan Border Field, Brisbane

3rd ODI - December 11, WACA, Perth