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World Cup Champions Return: India Women's Cricket Team Back in Training Mode

The Indian women's cricket team is back in action at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Visakhapatnam. They are preparing for a five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, starting this Sunday. This series is their first assignment since winning the ICC Women's ODI World Cup last month. It also marks the beginning of their road to the next T20 World Cup in England.

Key Points: India Women's Cricket Team Trains in Vizag for Sri Lanka T20Is

  • The core World Cup-winning squad reassembles for the T20I series against Sri Lanka
  • Young spinner Vaishnavi Sharma earns her maiden T20I call-up after a stellar U19 World Cup
  • The series serves as crucial preparation for next year's ICC Women's T20 World Cup
  • India holds a dominant historical record against Sri Lanka in T20I matches
2 min read

Indian women back in training mode at BCCI CoE ahead of Sri Lanka T20Is

Fresh off their ODI World Cup win, the Indian women's cricket team is back at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, preparing for the T20I series against Sri Lanka.

"The series marks the first assignment for Harmanpreet Kaur and her team since their ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025 triumph. - Article"

Visakhapatnam, Dec 19

After a triumphant campaign in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025, the Indian women's team has returned to the BCCI Centre of Excellence to focus on the five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka Women, starting on Sunday (Dec 21) in Visakhapatnam.

The core group that lifted the ODI World Cup trophy in Navi Mumbai last month continues to feature in the T20I squad.

On Friday, the entire squad sweated it out in an intense training session in Vizag ahead of the series opener.

Renuka Thakur, who missed the previous T20I series against England due to injury, returns to the lineup after a successful ODI World Cup campaign. The squad also sees the inclusion of 19-year-old Vaishnavi Sharma, who earns her maiden call-up in the T20I side.

The young spinner, who was the leading wicket-taker in this year's ICC Under-19 Women's Cricket World Cup, claiming 17 wickets with India securing their second consecutive title, had a special birthday celebration after the practice session.

The series marks the first assignment for Harmanpreet Kaur and her team since their ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025 triumph last month. It will put the two teams on the road to next year's T20 World Cup, scheduled to kick off on June 1 in England and Wales.

India's last T20I assignment came during their tour of England in early July, where the visitors clinched the series 3-2.

India has a dominant record against Sri Lanka with 20 wins in 26 matches, with the visitors' last victory in India coming way back in 2014. Coincidentally, that win had also come in Vishakhapatnam, the venue for the first two games in the upcoming T20I series.

The Indian women's cricket team will be taking the field for the first time it defeated South Africa in the final of the ICC Women's ODI World Cup at the Dr D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

Squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Harleen Deol, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh Thakur, Richa Ghosh (WK), G Kamalini (WK), Sree Charani, Vaishnavi Sharma

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good to see Renuka Thakur back. Her bowling was missed in the England series. The team looks balanced. Hope they use this series against Sri Lanka to test the bench strength too, especially with the T20 World Cup next year.
A
Arjun K
A small note of caution: we should not take Sri Lanka lightly just because of the past record. That 2014 loss in Vizag is a reminder. The focus should be on process and building momentum, not just expecting easy wins. Jai Hind!
S
Sarah B
The future looks bright with young talents like Vaishnavi coming through the ranks. The U19 system is clearly working well. Can't wait to watch the matches this weekend!
V
Vikram M
After the high of the World Cup final at DY Patil, it's back to business. This is the mark of a champion team. Harmanpreet's leadership will be key in managing the transition from ODI to T20 mindset. All the best, girls!
K
Kavya N
Hope the BCCI ensures good marketing and broadcasting for this home series. Our women's team deserves packed stadiums and prime-time coverage, not just after they win a World Cup. Let's support them consistently! 💙

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