BCCI announces Harmanpreet Kaur-led India squad for Asia Cup 2026

India will be heading into the upcoming edition of the Asia Cup as the most successful nation since the tournament's inception. After a disappointing Women's T20 World Cup campaign, where the Women in Blue crashed out in the group stage itself, continental glory will be a pleasant ointment on the wounds.

The Asia Cup, which will be played in the T20 format, will get underway from mid-August and conclude in September. The fixtures, however, are yet to be announced. India have seven titles to their name. However, they couldn't retain the title in the last edition in 2024 as Sri Lanka lifted it for the first time. Chamari Athapaththu was named the Player of the Tournament for her spectacular contribution.

Four of India's titles came when the tournament was held in the ODI format, while the other three were played in the T20 format. Harmanpreet Kaur, who will continue as the captain of the side, will look to help her team win back the coveted championship.

From the squad that was picked for the Women's T20 World Cup earlier this year, there have been a few changes. The 18-year-old G Kamalini has been added as the second wicketkeeper, while Yastika Bhatia, who scored a historic century at in the Lord's Test, has been left out.

Meanwhile, Shreyanka Patil, who injured herself early in the event, has been replaced by Prema Rawat. This implies that Patil hasn't fully recovered from her ankle ligament injury. Rawat's leg-spin could add a new dimension to India's bowling attack and she is no slouch with the bat, too.

Pratika Rawal, Uma Chetry, Vaishnavi Sharma, Sayali Satghare, and Minnu Mani are the five cricketers named as reserves.

India's squad for Asia Cup 2026: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharati Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), G. Kamalini (WK), Arundhati Reddy, Prema Rawat, Radha Yadav, Sree Charani, Renuka Thakur, Nandini Sharma, and Kranti Gaud.

Reserves: Pratika Rawal, Uma Chetry (WK), Vaishnavi Sharma, Sayali Satghare, Minnu Mani.