India-A has unveiled its squads for the upcoming tour of England, with a clear focus on building depth and nurturing future stars. Anushka Sharma will captain the T20 side, while Harleen Deol takes the reins for the ODI leg. The tour kicks off with three T20 Internationals starting June 20, followed by three One-Day matches from July 1.
Anushka Sharma, who made her senior international debut during India's recent tour of South Africa, has quickly earned the trust of selectors. She'll be supported by Vrinda Dinesh as vice-captain for the T20s. Harleen Deol, a talented batter who narrowly missed out on the Women's T20 World Cup squad, will lead the ODI team. Pratika Rawal has been named her deputy for the 50-over matches.
The selection panel has also rolled out the welcome mat for emerging talent. G. Kamalini and Vaishnavi Sharma, both of whom have already featured for the senior Indian side, are included in both squads. Jintimani Kalita earns her first India-A call-up across formats, while Tanisha Singh and Purvaja Verlekar are exciting new faces in the ODI and T20 setups respectively.
This England tour is more than just a series of matches—it's a crucial step in strengthening India's bench for future ICC tournaments. With a mix of experienced domestic performers like Priya Punia, Tejal Hasabnis, and Sayali Satghare in the ODI squad, and dynamic players such as Minnu Mani, Shabnam Shakil, and Tanuja Kanwer in the T20 side, the India-A team is poised for a competitive outing. For young cricketers, this could be the springboard to senior team opportunities.
