India Pacer Ruled Out Of International Tour; BCCI Announces Replacement

BCCI announces replacement for IND pacer [Source: X]

In a significant development, experienced Indian fast bowler Renuka Singh Thakur has been ruled out of the one-off Test match against Australia. Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, India women are scheduled to face their Australian counterparts in a one-off Test, starting on March 6 at the iconic WACA in Perth. 

Recently, the Indian women's team suffered a humiliating three-nil series defeat and would be desperate to find winning ways in the upcoming Test. However, as they gear up to regain their mojo, the tourists have been hit by a significant blow, ace speedster Renuka Singh Thakur getting sidelined from the highly anticipated clash.

Kashvee Gautam replaces Renuka Singh Thakur in India Test squad vs Australia

Renuka Singh Thakur has been a vital member of the Indian team since making her international debut back in 2021. The right-arm pacer recently featured in the T20I and ODI series against Australia Women, scalping five wickets across as many innings. 

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However, given that she has been playing regularly, the BCCI has decided to manage her workload and rest her from the Test series against the Aussies. As Renuka misses out due to workload management, young all-rounder Kashvee Gautam replaces her in the Indian Test squad. 

"Team India pacer Renuka Thakur has been ruled out of the Only-Test at the WACA Ground in Perth, which is part of the ongoing multi-format series against Australia Women. To better manage her workload, Renuka has been advised rest and will be unavailable for selection for the pink-ball Test. The BCCI Medical Team will be closely monitoring Renuka’s fitness progress," the BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia stated in an official press release. 

"The Women’s Selection committee has named Kashvee Gautam as her replacement. Kashvee was also part of the ODI squad in the ongoing multi-format series," he added. 

Kashvee Gautam's stats and recent performances

Hailed for her incredible all-round attributes, Kashvee Gautam rose to prominence following a successful stint with the Gujarat Giants in the WPL. 

The promising cricketer eventually made her debut for the Indian women's team in an ODI against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo last year. 

Overall, Kashvee Gautam has played six ODIs for India, amassing 90 runs at an average of 22.50 and a strike rate of 92.78. Additionally, she has also bagged three wickets and could be a handy option for the India women in the upcoming Test match. 

India women's updated squad for one-off Test vs Australia

Renuka Singh Thakur's exclusion and Kashvee Gautam's wildcard entry are the only changes in the India Test squad Vs Australia. 

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur will spearhead the Indian batting unit alongside Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Richa Ghosh and Jemimah Rodrigues. Meanwhile, the bowling department will be led by Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana and Kranti Goud. 

India's updated squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Pratika Rawal, Richa Ghosh (wk), Uma Chetry (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Sneh Rana, Sayali Satghare, Deepti Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Kashvee Gautam, Vaishnavi Sharma

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