Wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh, a rising star in Indian cricket, will miss the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand to prioritize her academic commitments. The 21-year-old, who has been a regular member of India’s international teams since her debut in 2020, will sit for her class 12 board exams during the series.
Ghosh’s absence will be a significant blow to India, who are looking to bounce back from their disappointing group-stage exit at the ongoing T20 World Cup in the UAE. The team’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, has come under scrutiny following the tournament, and the ODI series against New Zealand will be a crucial test for her leadership.
The 16-member squad for the three ODIs in Ahmedabad on October 24, 27, and 29 will be led by Kaur. The team includes several experienced players, such as Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Deepti Sharma, as well as some exciting newcomers.
Seam-bowling allrounders Sayali Satghare and Saima Thakor, legspinner Priya Mishra, and middle-order batter Tejal Hasabnis have all received their maiden ODI call-ups. The BCCI has confirmed that legspinner Asha Sobhana is unavailable due to injury, while allrounder Pooja Vastrakar has been rested.
India will be eager to put their T20 World Cup disappointment behind them and perform well in the ODI series against New Zealand. The team will be looking to build momentum ahead of the 2023 Women’s Cricket World Cup, which will be held in South Africa.
