Asian Games 2023 top contenders: India Women’s Cricket preview, schedule, streaming details, squad

For the first time, India will be sending the women’s team to participate in the Asian Games taking place in Hangzhou, China.

After a semifinal finish at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 and a silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, India will look to bring home the gold from the continental event.

A 15-member squad will be led by Harmanpreet Kaur and ace batter Smriti Mandhana has been named her deputy.

India last played in July 2023, a T20I and ODI series versus Bangladesh.

The Women in Blue prevailed over their neighbours, clinching the T20I series 2-1.

But the ODI event was tied 1-1 and the third match was largely overshadowed by skipper Harmanpreet’s behaviour due to umpiring decisions.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended her for two matches for breaching different codes of conduct.

As a result, Harmanpreet will not be available for India’s first two clashes at the event, which will be the quarterfinal and the semifinal (if India qualify), with Smriti Mandhana at the helm for those two games.

Owing to their ICC ranking, India automatically qualified for the quarterfinals. The women’s event will commence on September 19 and finish on September 26.

Right-arm pacer Titas Sadhu, who had impressed in India's title-winning campaign at the inaugural Under-19 Women's World Cup in South Africa, along with her World Cup winning captain Shafali Varma are also part of the squad.

Meanwhile, rookie spinner Minnu Mani who has returned impressive numbers in the domestic circuit has been retained after her performances in Bangladesh. Apart from that, Richa Ghosh, who missed the Bangladesh tour due to fitness reasons, is also back.

While Anjali Sarvani was officially named in the squad, she was subsequently ruled out and Pooja Vastrakar, who was among the reserves, has taken her place.


India Women’s Asian Games schedule:

All in Indian Standard Time (IST)

India vs TBD (Quarterfinal 1) - September 21 6:30 AM
Winner of QF 1 vs Winner of QF 4 (Semifinal 1) - September 24 6:30 AM
Loser of SF 1 vs Loser SF 2 (Bronze Medal match) - September 25, 6.30 AM
Winner of SF 1 vs Winner of SF 2, (Final) September 25, 11.30 AM

Where to watch:
The Asian Games will be broadcast on Sony Sports Network and can be streamed online on the Sony LIV App.

INDIA WOMEN SQUAD:
Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Devika Vaidya, Pooja Vastrakar, Titas Sadhu, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Minnu Mani, Kanika Ahuja, Uma Chetry (wk), Anusha Bareddy
Standby players: Harleen Deol, Kashvee Gautam, Sneh Rana, Saika Ishaque