Richa Ghosh returns to India squad for Asian Games

After being left out of the tour to Bangladesh, Richa Ghosh has returned to India's 15-member squad for the women's cricket competition at the 19th Asian Games. Fast bowler Titas Sadhu and allrounder Kanika Ahuja earned maiden call-ups while experienced allrounder Pooja Vastrakar was named among the five reserves.

Left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad, who was also dropped for the Bangladesh tour, was picked while uncapped wicketkeeper Uma Chetry was preferred over Yastika Bhatia.

Sadhu impressed in India's victorious campaign at the Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup earlier this year, where she took six wickets. She was also part of the Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup last month, striking with the new ball in each of India A's two games. Her ability to move the ball and her accuracy stood out and she was part of Delhi Capitals in the Women's Premier League (WPL). An injury to Renuka Singh sustained during the WPL resulted in her omission for the Bangladesh tour and gave Sadhu her chance.

Ahuja, on the other hand, impressed with her finishing skills for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the WPL. She scored 155 runs in six outings in the Senior Women's T20 Trophy, the second-most for Punjab behind Amanjot Kaur, at a strike rate of 107.63. She also starred in the final of the Emerging Teams Asia Cup with an unbeaten 30.

Offspin allrounder Minnu Mani, who took five wickets in the T20Is against Bangladesh, kept her place in the squad as did left-arm spinner B Anusha.

Harleen Deol was relegated to the standbys list while S Meghana, who did not play a game, was left out altogether.

Saika Ishaque, the Mumbai Indians left-arm spinner, as well as Chandigarh fast bowler Kashvee Gautam are also among the reserves, apart from Sneh Rana.

The women's cricket competition will be held from September 19 to 28 at Zhejiang University of Technology Pingfeng Cricket Field.

India women squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Devika Vaidya, Anjali Sarvani, Titas Sadhu, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Minnu Mani, Kanika Ahuja, Uma Chetry (wk), Anusha Bareddy

Standby players: Harleen Deol, Kashvee Gautam, Sneh Rana, Saika Ishaque, Pooja Vastrakar