India A Faces Key Changes As Shreyanka Patil Ruled Out For Australia Series

Shreyanka Patil's eagerly awaited comeback to competitive cricket has been postponed yet again. This delay means she will not participate in India A's multi-format tour of Australia scheduled for August.

Patil, a significant player for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women's Premier League, was initially included in the squad pending fitness approval from the National Cricket Academy (NCA). However, her return date is now set beyond the series' commencement, making her unavailable until after the first T20 on 7 August.

The India A team is set to face Australia A in three T20 matches, three one-dayers, and a four-day red-ball game from 7 to 24 August. Patil's absence impacts India A's spin options, especially with legspinner Priya Mishra also missing due to an undisclosed injury.

"Both players remain under the care of the BCCI Medical Team at the Centre of Excellence and are currently undergoing their Return-to-Play protocols," stated a BCCI announcement.

In response to these changes, Dhara Gujjar and Prema Rawat have been brought in as replacements. Gujjar will participate in both one-day and multi-format games, while Rawat joins solely for the T20s. Initially named in selective squads, they will now have extended roles.

Additionally, Yastika Bhatia has been added late to the one-day squad. With the Women's ODI World Cup approaching in just over two months, her inclusion suggests selectors are considering backup options. Although part of India's recent ODI series win against England (2-1), Bhatia did not play any matches.

Updated Squads for India A

The updated T20 squad includes Radha Yadav as captain and Minnu Mani as vice-captain. Other members are Shafali Verma, D. Vrinda, Sajana Sajeevan, Uma Chetry (WK), Raghvi Bist, Prema Rawat, Nandini Kashyap (WK), Tanuja Kanwer, Joshita VJ, Shabnam Shakeel, Saima Thakor, Titas Sadhu, and Dhara Gujjar.

The revised One-Day squad features Radha Yadav leading with Minnu Mani as deputy. The lineup consists of Shafali Verma, Tejal Hasabnis, Raghvi Bist, Tanushree Sarkar, Uma Chetry (WK), Tanuja Kanwer, Nandini Kashyap (WK), Dhara Gujjar, Joshita VJ, Shabnam Shakeel, Saima Thakor, Titas Sadhu, Prema Rawat and Yastika Bhatia.

The Multi-Day squad remains similar with Radha Yadav as captain and Minnu Mani as vice-captain. It includes Shafali Verma among others like Tejal Hasabnis and Raghvi Bist along with Tanushree Sarkar and Uma Chetry (WK). The team also comprises Tanuja Kanwer and Nandini Kashyap (WK) alongside Dhara Gujjar and Joshita VJ. Completing this lineup are Shabnam Shakeel plus Saima Thakor together with Titas Sadhu and Prema Rawat.