India have decided to rest Harmanpreet Kaur for the first ODI against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad on October 24, Thursday. Harmanpreet has been rested from the match due to a niggle as Smriti Mandhana will be taking over as captain for the game.
Harmanpreet had led the team in the T20 World Cup 2024 recently, where India’s campaign had come to an end during the group stages. The India captain did struggle with fitness during the tournament, as she suffered a neck injury during the match against Pakistan. The 35-year-old would shake it off quickly and take part in the remaining matches and was named in ICC’s team of the tournament.
IND-W vs NZ-W 1st ODI: Live Updates
BCCI would release a statement stating that Harmanpreet would not take part in the first game on Thursday. The severity of the niggle wasn’t revealed.
“Ms Harmanpreet Kaur has a niggle and has been rested for the 1st ODI. Smriti Mandhana will be leading the side in her absence,” read the statement from BCCI.
India had won the toss and opted to bat first in the match.
India would also hand debuts to Tejal Hasabnis and Saima Thakor for the match in Ahmedabad.
India vs New Zealand 1st ODI: Playing XIs
New Zealand Women (Playing XI): Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine(c), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze(w), Lauren Down, Jess Kerr, Molly Penfold, Eden Carson
India Women (Playing XI): Smriti Mandhana(c), Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia(w), Dayalan Hemalatha, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Tejal Hasabnis, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Saima Thakor, Renuka Thakur Singh