Anushka Sharma has been appointed captain of the India A women’s T20 team for the upcoming multi-format series against Australia A, while Yastika Bhatia will lead the side in the one-day matches and the one-off four-day game. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squads on Thursday, confirming a busy September and October schedule for India’s emerging women’s cricketers.

The Australia A tour of India will feature three T20s, three one-day matches and a four-day multi-day game. The T20 fixtures will be played in New Chandigarh, while Dharamsala will host the one-day matches and the red-ball contest.

The series is expected to provide valuable competitive experience to several players pushing for places in India’s senior women’s team.

Anushka Sharma to Lead India A in T20s

Anushka Sharma will take charge of the India A T20 side after previously leading the team during its T20 series against England in June.

The young batter has already represented India in three T20 internationals, having made her senior international debut in April. Her appointment as India A captain gives her another opportunity to develop her leadership credentials while working with a group featuring several promising players.

Anushka will be supported by Sayali Satghare, who has been named vice-captain for the T20 matches.

The squad includes a blend of players with international experience and emerging domestic performers, making the series an important platform for India’s next generation.

Sujata Dey Earns India A Opportunity

One of the names attracting attention in the T20 squad is Sujata Dey, the 22-year-old Bengal batter.

Dey made history earlier this year by becoming the first woman to score a century in the Bengal T20 League. Her performances have now earned her an opportunity at India A level.

Her selection highlights the importance of domestic cricket in India’s women’s cricket pathway. Strong performances in state and regional competitions can provide young players with opportunities to progress towards the national setup.

The Australia A series will give Dey an opportunity to test herself against a strong opposition and demonstrate whether she can translate her domestic form to a higher level.

Yastika Bhatia Returns as India A ODI Captain

Yastika Bhatia will captain the India A side in the one-day matches and the four-day game.

The wicketkeeper-batter has recently returned to the national setup after a lengthy injury layoff. Her comeback represents an important stage in her career as she looks to regain consistency and establish herself in India’s plans.

Bhatia was also part of India’s historic Lord’s Test campaign last month, where she produced an impressive century in the second innings.

Her experience at the international level will be particularly valuable for the India A squad, especially with several younger players looking to make their way into the senior team.

Anushka Sharma will serve as Bhatia’s deputy in both the one-day and four-day squads.

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Four-Day Match to Provide Red-Ball Experience

The Australia A tour will not be limited to white-ball cricket. India A will also play a one-off four-day match in Dharamsala, giving several players an opportunity to gain experience in the longer format.

Shubha Satheesh, Sushree Dibyadarshini, Shuchi Upadhyay and Mamata Madiwala have been selected specifically for the red-ball fixture.

The inclusion of additional players for the multi-day game reflects the BCCI’s effort to provide a broader group of cricketers with exposure to different formats.

Women’s red-ball cricket has gained increasing importance in recent years, with India placing greater emphasis on developing players capable of succeeding in longer-format matches.

For younger players, a four-day fixture against Australia A can offer valuable lessons in patience, technique, workload management and tactical awareness.

India A Squad Provides Mix of Experience and Youth

The squads announced by the BCCI contain a combination of established domestic performers, India internationals and emerging prospects.

Players such as Vrinda Dinesh, Tejal Hasabnis, Nikki Prasad, Uma Chetry, Minnu Mani, Vaishnavi Sharma and Sayali Satghare have been included across the different formats.

The presence of wicketkeepers, all-rounders, specialist batters and bowlers gives the India A selectors an opportunity to assess different combinations during the series.

For many players, the Australia A tour could become an important stepping stone towards senior international cricket.

India’s women’s cricket system has continued to expand its pathway from domestic cricket to India A and eventually the senior national team. Series such as this allow selectors to evaluate players in high-pressure matches against quality opposition.

Australia A Tour Schedule

The Australia A women’s team will play three formats during its tour of India.

The three T20 matches will be played in New Chandigarh, while the three one-day matches and four-day game will take place in Dharamsala.

The combination of white-ball and red-ball fixtures is designed to test players across different conditions and formats.

The T20 games will demand quick decision-making and adaptability, while the one-day matches will provide an opportunity to assess players over a longer limited-overs contest.

The four-day game, meanwhile, will test batting technique and bowling endurance in a completely different environment.

India A T20 Squad

Anushka Sharma will captain a T20 squad that includes:

Anushka Sharma (C), Sayali Satghare (VC), Vrinda Dinesh, Sujata Dey, Tejal Hasabnis, Nikki Prasad, Shipra Giri (WK), Shweta Sehrawat, Uma Chetry (WK), Tanuja Kanwer, Minnu Mani, Vaishnavi Sharma, Jintimani Kalita, Shabnam Shakeel and Simran Dil Bahadur.

The group features several young players who have impressed in domestic and India A cricket.

India A One-Day Squad

The one-day squad will be led by Yastika Bhatia, with Anushka Sharma serving as vice-captain.

The squad comprises:

Yastika Bhatia (C/WK), Anushka Sharma (VC), Vrinda Dinesh, Priya Punia, Tanisha Singh, Tejal Hasabnis, Nikki Prasad, Uma Chetry (WK), Minnu Mani, Amandeep Kaur, Vaishnavi Sharma, Sayali Satghare, Jintimani Kalita, Shabnam Shakeel and Akshita Bhagat.

The squad includes players with considerable domestic experience as well as those looking to establish themselves at the India A level.

India A Four-Day Squad

Yastika Bhatia will also captain the four-day team, with Anushka Sharma as vice-captain.

The squad is:

Yastika Bhatia (C/WK), Anushka Sharma (VC), Shubha Satheesh, Priya Punia, Tanisha Singh, Tejal Hasabnis, Nikki Prasad, Mamata Madiwala (WK), Sushree Dibyadarshini, Shuchi Upadhyay, Vaishnavi Sharma, Sayali Satghare, Jintimani Kalita, Shabnam Shakeel and Akshita Bhagat.

The inclusion of four players exclusively for the red-ball fixture adds depth to the squad and ensures that specialist multi-day options are available.

A Crucial Opportunity for India’s Emerging Players

The Australia A series could prove particularly important for players hoping to break into India’s senior women’s squad.

Playing against an Australia A side offers a strong competitive test and gives selectors an opportunity to evaluate players against high-quality opposition.

For Anushka Sharma, the series will also provide another chance to demonstrate her leadership ability. Having already captained India A in England, she now has the opportunity to lead the side at home across a demanding multi-format programme.

For Yastika Bhatia, meanwhile, the tour provides another opportunity to build momentum following her return from injury.

Her experience and leadership will be important as India A prepares for the one-day and four-day challenges.

Focus Shifts to India’s Next Generation

The India A programme has become an important part of India’s women’s cricket development structure. While the senior team remains the primary focus, India A provides players with a bridge between domestic cricket and international cricket.

The upcoming Australia A series is particularly valuable because it covers three formats and gives players opportunities to demonstrate versatility.

The performances of young players such as Sujata Dey will be closely watched, while established names will be looking to make a strong case for future senior-team selection.

With Anushka Sharma leading the T20 side and Yastika Bhatia taking charge in the one-dayers and four-day match, India A enters the series with two captains bringing different experiences to the group.

As the September and October fixtures approach, attention will turn towards the final preparations, player performances and the emergence of new names who could eventually become regulars in India’s senior women’s team.

The Australia A tour promises to be more than just a series of developmental matches. For India’s emerging cricketers, it could be an important opportunity to prove that they are ready for the next level.