Uma Chetry Replaces Yastika Bhatia in India Squad for ODI Series Against Australia Women
Date: November 27, 2024
India Women’s cricket team has made a significant change to their squad for the upcoming ODI series against Australia Women. On Tuesday, November 26, 2024, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that wicketkeeper-batter Uma Chetry has been called up to replace Yastika Bhatia in the 15-member squad for the three-match series against the Australian women’s team. The series is scheduled to begin on December 1, 2024, and will be played at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.
Yastika Bhatia, who was originally named in the squad, has been ruled out due to an injury. The nature and extent of the injury were not immediately disclosed by the BCCI, but sources suggest it is a minor niggle that requires rest and rehabilitation. Yastika’s absence will certainly leave a gap in India’s top-order, as she has been a key player in the squad over the past few years.
Who is Uma Chetry?
Uma Chetry is a 23-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Assam. She has been making a name for herself in domestic cricket and was previously a part of India’s squad for the Women’s T20 World Cup earlier this year. However, she did not feature in any matches during the tournament. Chetry’s inclusion in the squad for the ODI series against Australia comes after a series of strong performances in domestic cricket, especially in the ongoing Women’s Senior One Day Trophy.
Chetry is known for her sharp wicketkeeping skills and her ability to contribute with the bat. In the domestic circuit, she has consistently impressed with her aggressive approach in limited-overs cricket. Her performance as a reliable batter and keeper has been one of the reasons behind her call-up to the national team.
Though she hasn’t yet had much exposure in international cricket, her potential was evident during the Indian women’s team’s preparations for the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2024, when she impressed the selectors in the practice sessions.
Yastika Bhatia’s Absence
Yastika Bhatia has been an important part of the Indian women’s team for the past few years. The left-handed batter was a regular feature in India’s top order, especially in the limited-overs format. Bhatia had a breakthrough year in 2021, where she scored crucial runs in both ODIs and T20Is. Her performances in the Indian Women’s Premier League (WIPL) also helped boost her credentials as a top-order player.
However, in recent months, Bhatia’s form has been inconsistent. She had a relatively quiet spell in the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, which may have contributed to her exclusion from the playing XI. Still, her absence from the squad for the Australia series is seen as a precautionary measure due to her injury, and it is hoped that she will return to full fitness soon.
Yastika’s absence will create an opportunity for Uma Chetry to showcase her talent on the international stage. For India, this series against Australia is an important one as they prepare for next year’s major tournaments, including the Women’s Cricket World Cup. Chetry’s inclusion will bring fresh energy to the squad, and many believe this is a great chance for her to prove herself.
India’s Squad for the ODI Series Against Australia:
- Smriti Mandhana (Captain)
- Harmanpreet Kaur (Vice-Captain)
- Shafali Verma
- Mandhana Sanyukta
- Richa Ghosh
- Pooja Vastrakar
- Deepti Sharma
- Jemimah Rodrigues
- Rajeshwari Gayakwad
- Mansi Joshi
- Renuka Singh Thakur
- Taniya Bhatia
- Uma Chetry
- Simran Bahadur
- Sneh Rana
The squad features a mix of experienced campaigners and rising stars. As India seeks to challenge the top teams in women’s cricket, this series will provide valuable insights into the team’s strengths and areas for improvement.
