Smriti Mandhana to lead India in three-match ODI series against Ireland

Smriti Mandhana will lead India in their first ODI series in 2025 against Ireland women at home. While there is no BCCI confirmation, it is assumed that Harmanpreet Kaur and Renuka Singh Thakur have been rested from the three-match ODI series. 

Apart from that, India have retained much of their setup from the series against West Indies, with Delhi batter Pratika Rawal set to continue as the opener alongside Smriti, with Harleen Deol fitting in at No.3. Despite finishing as the top run scorer (527 runs @75.29) in the Senior Women's One-Day Trophy, Shafali Varma has continued to be ignored.

However, it would be interesting to see how the team's middle-order will shape in Harmanpreet’s absence. 

The three-match ODI series will be played at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, with the first ODI starting on January 10. 

Minnu Mani, Priya Mishra, and Tanuja Kanwer are set to be the three spin bowling options alongside all-rounder Deepti Sharma. Uma Chetry will continue as the back-up to Richa Ghosh, with Yastika Bhatia yet to recover fully from her injury. 

India’s squad for the three-match ODI series against Ireland: Smriti Mandhana (C), Deepti Sharma (VC), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Uma Chetry (wk), Richa Ghosh (wk), Tejal Hasabnis, Raghvi Bist, Minnu Mani, Priya Mishra, Tanuja Kanwer, Titas Sadhu, Saima Thakor, Sayali Satghare