India Women are set to play their first series in 2025 as they are scheduled to host Ireland Women for a three-match ODI series starting on January 10. Opening batter Smriti Mandhana has been appointed as stand skipper in Harmanpreet Kaur’s absence. Apart from that, one of the main headlines from the Ireland series is the exclusion of young opening batter Shafali from the ODI squad once again. However, Mandhana has clarified that Shafali is in the scheme of things and will return soon.
Shafali Verma was dropped from the ODI squad for the Australia tour in December and was also sidelined for the home white-ball series against West Indies. However, on the eve of the first ODI vs Ireland Women in Saurashtra, Smriti Mandhana talked about future of 20-year-old in the Indian team. “Harman is rested and that was very clear. Shefali in the last two or three one-day series, has not been part of the squad. Pratika (Rawal) in the last series has done really well in her absence, but definitely, Shefali scored a lot of runs in domestic cricket, so she’s definitely in the scheme of things,” Mandhana was quoted as saying by News18.
We will not think about what is not there: Smriti Mandhana ahead of Ireland Women ODIs
Speaking further, Smriti Mandhana said that the Indian team is focusing on winning the matches and making most use of the resources that are available. “As a team, we do not have to think what is not there because we want to go out there and have the positive mindset that we have a really balanced squad. The girls who have come in as well are really, really good. We will not think about what is not there," Smriti Mandhana said.
India Women squad for Ireland ODIs: Smriti Mandhana (C), Deepti Sharma (VC), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Uma Chetry (wk), Richa Ghosh (wk), Tejal Hasabnis, Raghvi Bist, Minnu Mani, Priya Mishra, Tanuja Kanwer, Titas Sadhu, Saima Thakor, Sayali Satghare.
