The English summer will see a new installment in the hallowed history of rivalry between India and England with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announcing the squads for the highly anticipated women’s tour of England.
The tour, which runs from June 28 to July 22, has lined up high-drama fare with five T20 Internationals and three One Day Internationals, and announcement of the squads has already made the cricketing world go tizzy.
India’s squads for England tour
| S.No | T20I Squad | ODI Squad |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harmanpreet Kaur (C) | Harmanpreet Kaur (C) |
| 2 | Smriti Mandhana (VC) | Smriti Mandhana (VC) |
| 3 | Shafali Verma | Pratika Rawal |
| 4 | Jemimah Rodrigues | Jemimah Rodrigues |
| 5 | Harleen Deol | Harleen Deol |
| 6 | Richa Ghosh (WK) | Richa Ghosh (WK) |
| 7 | Yastika Bhatia (WK) | Yastika Bhatia (WK) |
| 8 | Deepti Sharma | Deepti Sharma |
| 9 | Sneh Rana | Sneh Rana |
| 10 | Sree Charani | Sree Charani |
| 11 | Shuchi Upadhyay | Shuchi Upadhyay |
| 12 | Amanjot Kaur | Amanjot Kaur |
| 13 | Arundhati Reddy | Arundhati Reddy |
| 14 | Kranti Gaud | Kranti Gaud |
| 15 | Sayali Satghare | Sayali Satghare |
Harmanpreet Kaur: The Fearless Warrior
Harmanpreet Kaur’s career is the stuff of legend. Being the sole Indian female cricketer with over 3,000 runs in T20Is and ODIs, her captaincy is characterized by grit and an insatiable thirst for winning. Right from her record-breaking 171* In the 2017 World Cup semi-final to be the first Indian to achieve a T20I century, Kaur’s career is all about shattering glass ceilings. While under her captaincy, Mumbai Indians have won several Women’s Premier League titles, and her Arjuna Award reflects the effects she has had beyond mere statistics.
Smriti Mandhana: The Graceful Game-Changer
The term “game-changer” is typically associated with someone who can “change the game in a matter of overs,” and Mandhana does have a gracious and ferocious presence in the top order. Mandhana has provided over 4,200 ODI runs at 46.25 (10 centuries and 30 fifties), and 3,761 T20I runs at 123.27, which is another pillar of Indian batting.
We saw her adaptability in The Hundred, where she has a strike rate of 139.09. The Mandhana saga from Sangli to international star has been about tenacity, and I am sure the calmness of her presence will serve her well in the tough conditions of England.
Also read: Ravindra Jadeja can be India’s Test captain for the next 2 years; Says R Ashwin
Shafali Verma: The Prodigy Returns
This is the story of a prodigy’s return when Shafali Verma returns to the T20I squad after being dropped in October 2024. The 21-year-old has responded to the setback on her own terms it should be noted – she was the leading runs-scorer in the domestic circuit – leading runs-scorer in the Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy, leading runs-scorer in the Senior Women’s Challenger Trophy, and fourth-leading runs-scorer in WPL 2025.
For those unaware of this player’s attitude, she bats uncaged in the way a young Virender Sehwag used to at the crease. If you are a young cricketer that has a tendency to absorb the weight of disappointment and struggle – she shows that there is a path back to representing your country.
Jemimah Rodrigues: The Consistent Performer
Rodrigues, who has 1,264 runs in 44 ODIs (123 is her highest score with two 100s) and 2,093 runs in 102 WT20s (strike rate: 114.6), is central to India’s middle order. She can anchor innings and accelerate when desired. Beyond the cricket field, Jemimah’s exquisite energy and articulate nature with respect to her faith and family makes her even more relatable to fans and the next generation!
Deepti Sharma: The All-Round Dynamo
Deepti Sharma’s strengths are in her flexibility. India’s leading bowler in difficult periods of a match, she has taken 128 T20 wickets in 115 T20 innings at an average of 19.70 and a strike rate of 19.42. She adds to India’s batting depth by being able to score valuable runs- regularly contributing essential runs to the team. The story of her development from practicing with her brother in dusty fields in Agra to being an international all-rounder is one of commitment.
Sneh Rana: The Comeback Queen
Sneh Rana’s return to the T20I squad after a two-year hiatus is another heartwarming subplot. Her Player of the Series performance in the Sri Lanka tri-series (15 wickets in five games) and her explosive 26-run cameo in a single over during WPL 2025 underline her match-winning abilities. At 31, Rana’s story is one of persistence and late bloom, inspiring those who believe in second chances.
New Faces, New Dreams
The inclusion of N Shree Charani, Kranti Goud, Shuchi Upadhyay, and Sayali Satghare-each making their maiden T20I call-up-signals a new dawn for Indian women’s cricket. Their journeys, from domestic stalwarts to donning the national colors, are filled with sacrifices, long train journeys, and dreams nurtured on modest grounds across India.
Looking Ahead
As the women’s team heads off on this tour, the mixture of experience and youth, the tales of redemption, and the dreams of debutants set the tone for a tour that will be rich in both skill and spirit.
Each player feels the burden of expectations, but also the hopes of thousands of little girls across India who see their own dreams embodied in these athletes. The stage is set, the squads are prepared, and as the English summer approaches, the Women in Blue are ready to add to their already storied journey.
Written By Smita Singh
