Uma Chetry selected for Indian Test Squad for an International Cricket Tournament

Nanda Kirat Dewan 

Guwahati : On May 30, 2024, the Women’s Selection Committee of India announced the squad for the highly anticipated multi-format IDFC First Bank series against South Africa. This series will comprise three One Day Internationals (ODIs), one Test match, and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).

For the ODI series, the Indian team will be led by Harmanpreet Kaur with Smriti Mandhana serving as vice-captain. The squad features a blend of experience and youth, including Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, and Jemimah Rodrigues, whose selection is subject to fitness. Richa Ghosh and Uma Chetry are the designated wicketkeepers, while Dayalan Hemlatha, Radha Yadav, and Asha Sobhana add depth in the all-rounder and bowling departments. New talents like Shreyanka Patil and Saika Ishaque will also be looking to make their mark alongside established players such as Pooja Vastrakar, Renuka Singh Thakur, and Arundhati Reddy.

In the lone Test match, Harmanpreet Kaur will again captain the side with Smriti Mandhana as her deputy. The Test squad sees the inclusion of Shubha Satheesh and experienced bowlers like Rajeshwari Gayakwad. Sneh Rana returns to bolster the spin attack, while Meghna Singh is set to add pace to the bowling lineup. Wicketkeeping duties will be shared between Richa Ghosh and Uma Chetry, providing stability behind the stumps.

The T20I squad, also led by Harmanpreet Kaur with Smriti Mandhana as vice-captain, includes dynamic players like Dayalan Hemlatha and Sajana Sajeevan. The team features versatile all-rounders and a strong bowling attack, with Radha Yadav and Asha Sobhana expected to play crucial roles. Pooja Vastrakar’s selection is again subject to fitness, and Saika Ishaque is named as a standby player. This series promises exciting cricket as the Indian women look to showcase their skills against a formidable South African side.