The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Women’s Selection Committee has announced the India Women’s Asia Cup squad for the upcoming Women’s Asia Cup 2026, with experienced campaigner Harmanpreet Kaur continuing as captain and Smriti Mandhana serving as vice-captain.
The selectors have largely retained the core group that has represented India over the past year, while also rewarding promising leg-spinning all-rounder Prema Rawat with a place in the 15-member squad. The tournament, scheduled to take place from late August to mid-September, will be a crucial preparation event before the Asian Games in Japan.
Prema Rawat Retains Her Place
The biggest talking point from the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 India team announcement is the inclusion of Prema Rawat India squad. The 24-year-old from Uttarakhand has continued her impressive rise by retaining her place in the senior national side after making her international debut earlier this year.
Rawat was handed her first India cap during the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England after replacing the injured Shreyanka Patil. With Patil still recovering from an ankle ligament injury sustained during the tournament, the selectors have once again shown faith in the young all-rounder.
Known for her leg-spin, lower-order batting, and sharp fielding, Rawat has quickly established herself as a valuable multi-dimensional player.
Rawat’s Rise Through the Ranks
The Prema Rawat India squad selection is the latest reward for a player who has consistently impressed in domestic and age-group cricket.
Rawat first grabbed national attention after being signed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for ₹1.2 crore in the Women’s Premier League auction. She was widely praised for her ability to contribute in all three departments of the game.
She also enjoyed an outstanding Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament in Bangkok while representing India A. Rawat claimed eight wickets at an average of just 9.62 and delivered a match-winning spell of 3 for 12 in the final against Bangladesh A.
Those performances earned her an international debut against South Africa during the Women’s T20 World Cup, and she has now cemented her place in India’s plans.
Key Selection Decisions
Apart from Rawat’s inclusion, the India Women’s Asia Cup squad features several notable decisions.
Young wicketkeeper-batter G. Kamalini has retained her place as the backup wicketkeeper behind Richa Ghosh, with the selectors continuing to invest in the 18-year-old’s development.
Meanwhile, Yastika Bhatia remains absent from India’s T20 setup despite her memorable century during the recent Test match at Lord’s against England.
Shreyanka Patil was unavailable for selection as she continues her recovery from the ankle injury that ruled her out during the T20 World Cup.
India Women’s Asia Cup Squad
The Women’s Asia Cup 2026 India team includes:
Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Richa Ghosh, G. Kamalini, Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Radha Yadav, Sree Charani, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Nandni Sharma, and Kranti Gaud.
The reserve players are Pratika Rawal, Uma Chetry, Vaishnavi Sharma, Sayali Satghare, and Minnu Mani.
Focus Turns to Asia Cup
The India Women’s Asia Cup squad combines experienced stars with exciting young talent as the team prepares for another major continental event. Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana will once again lead a balanced squad that features quality batters, versatile all-rounders, and a varied bowling attack.
With the Asian Games following shortly after the tournament, the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 India team will be eager to build momentum, fine-tune combinations, and continue India’s strong record in women’s cricket. The inclusion of Prema Rawat India squad highlights the selectors’ confidence in the next generation as India looks to defend its status among Asia’s strongest teams.
