India Women's Asia Cup 2022 Squad Revealed and Match Schedule: Full Guide

Squad Overview and Leadership

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) rolled out a well‑balanced 15‑member line‑up for the Women's Asia Cup T20 tournament held in Sylhet, Bangladesh, from October 1‑15, 2022. At the helm is experienced all‑rounder Harmanpreet Kaur, appointed captain, while opening star Smriti Mandhana takes the vice‑captaincy. The selection committee blended seasoned campaigners with rising talent, aiming for a mix of firepower and depth.

Key roles were clearly defined: wicket‑keeping duties went to the young Richa Ghosh, who has already made a name for herself in domestic circuits. The pace attack features Sneh Rana, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, and the promising right‑arm medium‑pacers Radha Yadav and Meghna Singh. The spin department leans on the versatile Dee Dee Sharma and all‑rounder Pooja Vastrakar. In the batting order, power hitters Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, and the dependable Sabbineni Meghana add aggression, while Dayalan Hemalatha and K.P. Navgire provide stability down the middle.

• Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain)
• Smriti Mandhana (Vice‑captain)
• Deepti Sharma
• Shafali Verma
• Jemimah Rodrigues
• Sabbineni Meghana
• Richa Ghosh (Wicket‑keeper)
• Sneh Rana
• Dayalan Hemalatha
• Meghna Singh
• Renuka Thakur
• Pooja Vastrakar
• Rajeshwari Gayakwad
• Radha Yadav
• K.P. Navgire

Standby options Taniya Bhatia and Simran Dil Bahadur were kept ready for any injury or form‑related changes. The squad’s composition reflected BCCI’s intent to field a side capable of defending their title while giving younger players a platform to prove themselves.

Tournament Format, Schedule, and India's Journey

The 2022 Women’s Asia Cup featured seven nations—India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates—competing in a single round‑robin stage. Each team played six matches, with the top four progressing to the semifinals scheduled for October 13, and the final slated for October 15. This structure guaranteed a minimum of five matches for every side, offering ample exposure ahead of global events.

India kicked off the tournament against Sri Lanka on October 1, a match that set the tone for their campaign. The early victory helped cement confidence in the top order, especially as Shafali Verma smashed a rapid 45‑run cameo. The marquee clash came on October 7 when India faced arch‑rival Pakistan. The game drew massive viewership across South Asia, with Harmanpreet Kaur’s 55‑run innings and a decisive spell from Sneh Rana turning the tide in India’s favour.

Between the group fixtures, the Indian side fine‑tuned strategies following a three‑match T20I series against England, where they fell 1‑2. Those losses highlighted gaps in the middle order and prompted tweaks that paid off in the Asia Cup, particularly in rotating the strike and managing bowlers’ workloads in the humid Bangladeshi conditions.

India cruised through the round‑robin, finishing second on net‑run rate while posting three wins, two losses, and one no‑result. In the semifinals, they faced Thailand, a side known for disciplined spin bowling. A disciplined chase led by Deepti Sharma’s 60‑run knock saw India chase down a modest total with six wickets in hand, securing a spot in the final.

The championship match on October 15 pitted India against Bangladesh, the host nation buoyed by home crowd support. The Indian batters, anchored by a steady partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh, set a competitive total of 135/5. Bangladesh’s chase faltered against a lethal spell from Rajeshwari Gayakwad, who claimed three wickets in the middle overs. India clinched the title by eight runs, marking their third T20I Asia Cup triumph and reinforcing their dominance in the region.

This victory dovetailed with an exceptional 2022 season for Indian women's cricket, which also saw gold at the Asian Games and a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games. The squad’s depth, adaptability, and hunger for success were evident throughout the tournament, suggesting a bright future as they set sights on upcoming World Cups and global qualifiers.

Overall, the India Women's Asia Cup campaign showcased a blend of experience and youthful exuberance, offering fans a thrilling showcase of talent and confirming India’s status as a powerhouse in women’s cricket.