New Delhi: India on Tuesday named a seasoned squad for the Women’s T20 World Cup under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur and will hope that the experienced squad will lead the team to an elusive ICC trophy.

With the exception of Uma Chetry, all squad members who took part in the unsuccessful Asia Cup campaign in July have been retained for the flagship event starting on October 3 in the United Arab Emirates.

The competition was moved from Bangladesh to the United Arab Emirates after unrest broke out in the South Asian country following a student protest.

Spin all-rounder Shreyanka Patil and top-order batter Yastika Bhatia have been included in the squad depending on their fitness. Shreyanka fractured her finger during the Asia Cup match against Pakistan, while Bhatia is recovering from a knee injury.

After losing to Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final, Kaur is under pressure to lead her team to the coveted title. In June, the men finally managed to lift the burden and win an ICC title after an 11-year gap.

The women, who also have all the means, are expected to cross the finish line this time.

Kaur captained the team for the first time in the 2018 edition and India has reached one final since then, but by and large it has been a story of missed opportunities.

Their biggest challenge will be to beat Australia as usual. Both teams are in the same group that also includes Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

As expected, the squad is packed with spinners like Deepti Sharma, Asha Sobhana and Radha Yadav. The two specialist pacers are Renuka Singh and Arundhati Reddy while Pooja Vastrakar is the only fast bowling all-rounder. Titas Sadhu is a notable name missing in the pace department.

“With the players we have, it’s a good squad. Hopefully Yastika and Sheyanka will be fit,” said former Indian national team captain Diana Edulji. PTI.

Star batswoman Smriti Mandhana has been named Kaur’s deputy and will, as always, play a key role at the top of the order.

Apart from the limited fast bowling resources, India also does not have a side full of power hitters. Kaur and Richa Ghosh will be responsible for the big hits in the middle overs phase of the game.

India will open their campaign against New Zealand on October 4.

India’s squad for the Women’s T20 World Cup:

Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (week), Yastika Bhatia (week)*, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Dayalan Hemalatha, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil*, Sajana Sajeevan.