In a strategic move to manage player workloads, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced that regular captain Harmanpreet Kaur and lead pacer Renuka Singh Thakur will be rested for the upcoming three-match One Day International (ODI) series against Ireland. The series is scheduled to commence on January 10, 2025, at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot.
Leadership Transition
With Harmanpreet Kaur unavailable, prolific opener Smriti Mandhana has been appointed as the captain for this series. Mandhana, known for her aggressive batting and leadership qualities, will be leading the Indian women’s cricket team for the first time in an ODI series. Senior all-rounder Deepti Sharma will serve as the vice-captain during this period.
Player Rest and Management
Harmanpreet Kaur has been managing fitness concerns, including a knee injury sustained during the home series against the West Indies in December 2024. Renuka Singh Thakur, who was instrumental in India’s recent ODI series against the West Indies, has been rested to manage her workload effectively. Thakur’s exceptional performance, claiming 10 wickets in three matches, earned her the Player of the Series award.
Series Details
This series marks the first bilateral ODI encounter between India and Ireland. The matches are scheduled as follows:
- 1st ODI: January 10, 2025
- 2nd ODI: January 12, 2025
- 3rd ODI: January 15, 2025
All matches will be held at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, starting at 11:00 AM IST.
Squad Announcement
The Indian women’s cricket team for the series against Ireland is as follows:
- Smriti Mandhana (Captain)
- Deepti Sharma (Vice-Captain)
- Pratika Rawal
- Harleen Deol
- Jemimah Rodrigues
- Uma Chetry (Wicketkeeper)
- Richa Ghosh (Wicketkeeper)
- Tejal Hasabnis
- Raghvi Bist
- Minnu Mani
- Priya Mishra
- Tanuja Kanwar
- Titas Sadhu
- Saima Thakor
- Sayali Satghare
Notably, opener Shafali Verma and pace-bowling all-rounder Arundhati Reddy have been excluded from this series, as they are currently participating in the Senior Women’s 50-over Challenger Trophy in Chennai.