Rajkot
The Indian team, full of confidence after its brilliant performance against West Indies, would like to maintain this momentum under the captaincy of Smriti Mandhana in the first women’s bilateral ODI series against Ireland starting today. India defeated West Indies by 3.0 in the ODI series and 2.1 in the T20I. Mandhana scored the most runs in both formats, including 148 runs in the ODI series and 193 runs in the T20 series.
Mandhana would like to continue the same form in the series against Ireland. She will also take over the responsibility of captaincy in the absence of regular captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Harmanpreet and fast bowler Renuka Singh have been rested. In the absence of Harmanpreet and Renuka, the responsibility of scoring runs will be on Harleen Deol, Pratika Rawal and Jemimah Rodrigues. Deol scored 160 runs in the ODI series while Raval contributed 134 runs and Jemimah contributed 112 runs.
Renuka will be missed in bowling who had taken ten wickets against West Indies. Now new bowlers Titas Sadhu and Saima Thakor will have a big responsibility. Sadhu, who has taken three wickets in ODIs and 13 wickets in T20s, will have the responsibility of taking the initial wickets. He has impressed with his pace and swing in domestic and international cricket. Whereas Saima has taken seven wickets in eight ODIs so far.
The role of off-spinner and vice-captain Deepti Sharma will also be important, who took six wickets for 31 runs in the third ODI against West Indies. Priya Mishra and Tanuja Kanwar will be there to support him. All-rounders Raghvi Bisht and Sayali Satghare have also been included in the team and would like to capitalize on this opportunity.
On the other hand, India’s challenge will be difficult for the Ireland team captained by Gary Lewis. Ireland team has not defeated India even once in 12 ODIs so far. The last time the two teams faced each other was in the 2023 T20 World Cup when India won by five runs.
Teams: India: Smriti Mandhana (captain), Deepti Sharma, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Uma Chhetri, Richa Ghosh, Tejal Hasambis, Raghvi Bisht, Minnu Mani, Priya Mishra, Tanuja Kanwar, Titas Sadhu, Saima Thakor, Sayali Satghare.
Ireland : Gabby Lewis (captain), Ava Canning, Christina Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delaney, Georgina Dempsey, Sarah Forbes, Arlene Kelly, Joanna Loughran, Amy Magire, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Una Raymond Hoey, Freya Sergeant, Rebecca Stokell.
