Harmanpreet Kaur (BCCI photo)

NEW DELHI: Harmanpreet Kaur will continue to captain the Indian women’s cricket team for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand starting October 24 in Ahmedabad. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced her retention as captain despite questions being raised about her leadership recently following India’s early exit from cricket T20 World Cup. Four uncapped players were also selected for the series.
The three-match series marks the beginning of India’s preparations for the ODI World Cup, which the country will host next year.
According to a BCCI statement, Richa Ghosh, a 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batswoman, will not be available for the series due to her 12th standard board exam. Asha Sobhana is unavailable due to injury and all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar has been rested.

Uncapped players Tejal Hasabnis, Sayali Satgare, Priya Mishra and Saima Thakor have been given a chance. Thakor has experience in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Smriti Mandhana, who struggled in the T20 World Cup, was named vice-captain. Uma Chetry, who has played four T20 Internationals, is also in the squad and could make her ODI debut in this series.
All three matches will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

India’s squad for the three ODI series against New Zealand:
Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, D Hemalatha, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Yastika Bhatia (Week), Uma Chetry (Week), Sayali Satgare, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Tejal Hasabnis, Saima Thakor, Priya Mishra, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil.