Asian Games 2026: India Women's Cricket Squad Announced; Harmanpreet Captain, Mandhana Vice-Captain The Indian women's cricket team for the 2026 Asian Games has been officially announced, with Harmanpreet Kaur serving as captain and Smriti Mandhana as vice-captain. The squad includes several experienced players, while two key changes were made compared to the T20 World Cup 2026 team. Wicketkeeper Yasmin Bharti has been replaced by J. Kamalini, and all-rounder Premi Raut has been dropped. The selection reflects a balance between retaining seasoned performers and giving opportunities to younger talent. Yasmin Bharti, who struggled with form during the World Cup, was omitted from the squad. Her performance in the tournament was limited to 41 runs across four matches, with an average of 13.66 and a strike rate of 117.14. In her place, 17-year-old J. Kamalini, who recently played for Mumbai Indians in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), has been included. The decision to drop Bharti highlights the selectors’ focus on improving consistency and performance in the upcoming Asian Games. Shreyanka Patil, a spin all-rounder, has been retained after receiving fitness clearance. She missed the T20 World Cup due to a knee injury sustained against Netherlands, but her return to the squad underscores her importance to the team’s strategy. Premi Raut, who was part of the World Cup squad, was not selected for the Asian Games, despite her experience. The pace attack will be spearheaded by Renuka Singh and Arundhati Reddy, while spin bowling will be led by Radha Yadav and Shreyanka Patil. The 2026 Asian Games will feature T20 matches, and the Indian team is expected to compete in the quarterfinals or knockout stages based on its ICC rankings.#smriti_mandhana #harmanpreet_kaur #asian_games_2026 #shreyanka_patil #j_kamalini
