VISAKHAPATNAM: India’s quest to identify stable support players who can serve the team at least until next year’s Women’s T20 World Cup will begin with the first T20I of the five-match series against Sri Lanka here on Sunday.
The familiar faces, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, her deputy Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma and Renuka Singh, remain part of the set-up, but it cannot be ignored that most of them are either in their 30s or approaching that phase of their careers.
In that context, the Indian think tank will closely watch the evolution of young batter G Kamalini and promising left-arm spinner Vaishanavi Sharma over the course of the series.
The 17-year-old Kamalini has displayed maturity across various levels, starting with Tamil Nadu in the BCCI Under-23 T20 Trophy, followed by the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year, and later in the Women’s Premier League for Mumbai Indians.
Vaishanavi, meanwhile, has been on the selectors’ radar since emerging as the leading wicket-taker in the Under-19 World Cup with 17 wickets.
In the absence of Radha Yadav, the 19-year-old Vaishanavi could get an opportunity to operate alongside fellow left-armer N Sree Charani, who has also impressed in recent months. If the two left-arm spinners deliver consistently in the series, it would align well with the team management’s long-term plans.
There will also be attention on Mandhana and how she responds with the bat after a difficult phase in her personal life, following the calling off of her wedding. The left-hander has made it clear that cricket remains her foremost priority, and the series could serve as a platform for her to return to complete normalcy.
Harmanpreet will look to regain her T20 rhythm after a break from top-flight cricket following India’s ODI World Cup triumph.
Shafali Verma, who made a significant impact in the ODI World Cup final after coming in as a last-minute replacement, will be keen to cement her place in the side with consistent performances.
Sri Lanka, led by the experienced Chamari Athapaththu, will also use the series to assess the progress of their own young players.
The 17-year-old ambidextrous spinner Shashnini Gimhani, 23-year-old seamer Kawya Kavindi and 19-year-old Rashmika Sewwandi are being viewed as future prospects, and the series offers them an opportunity to test themselves against established Indian players.
Teams (from):
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Harleen Deol, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh Thakur, Richa Ghosh (WK), G Kamalini (WK), Sree Charani, Vaishanavi Sharma.
Sri Lanka: Chamari Athapaththu (C), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshika De Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Imesha Dulani, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Malsha Shehani, Inoka Ranaweera, Shashnini Gimhani, Nimesha Madushani, Kawya Kavindi, Rashmika Sewwandi, Malki Madara.
The match starts at 7 pm.