Harmanpreet Kaur named as new women's cricket captain for India's for Sri Lanka tour

The announcement arrived with another one that confirmed Mithali Raj's retirement from international cricket. Mithali amassed a record of 7805 runs in 232 One Day Internationals (ODI) throughout her monumental 23-year-long career. She represented India in 12 Tests, 232 One Day Internationals and 89 Twenty20 Internationals (T20).

She has had a remarkable impact since making her India debut in 1999. Mithali had led the team in the 2022 World Cup, so her departure will be heartbreaking for avid followers of Indian women's cricket. The 39-year-old had already taken an exit from the T20 format, and her decision to stop playing all formats was expected from the former captain of India's ODI World Cup campaign in March.

Mithali Raj inspired Harmanpreet Kaur 

Harmanpreet Kaur revealed that the only name in Indian women's cricket she heard was Mithali Raj at the onset of her career. Harmanpreet then made her ODI and T20I debut under Jhulan Goswami, but her devotion to Mithali remained intact. After the 39-year-old retired, Kaur admitted that Mithali inspired young girls to take up this sport and dream big. Harmanpreet played under Mithali for several years after the captaincy was handed over to Mithali again. Mithali also played under Harmanpreet in the latter part of her stint in T20Is.

India's first outing after the 2022 World Cup 

It will be the first time since the Women's World Cup that the women's side will be undertaking an international assignment. Kaur's selection took place right after Mithali's announcement. On Wednesday, the All-India Women's Selection Committee assembled to finalise the squad for India's much-awaited tour of Sri Lanka. Veteran pacer Jhulan Goswami who was not part of the Women's T20 Challenge, couldn't qualify for the first team. India will compete in three T20s and as many ODIs in Dambulla and Kandy, respectively, as stated by the BCCI. The T20Is will take place on June 23, 25 and 27, while the ODIs will be held on July 1, 4 and 7.

India's squad for the upcoming tour against Sri Lanka

India T20 squad includes newly appointed captain Harmanpreet Kaur alongside Smriti Mandhana as the vice-captain leading the charge. Other players include Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia (wicketkeeper), S Meghna, Deepti Sharma, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Poonam Yadav, Simran Bahadur, Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Meghna Singh, Pooja Vastrakar, Renuka Singh, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Radha Yadav. Likewise, the ODI team will have Kaur as the captain and Smriti Mandhana as the vice-captain. The list of players includes Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia (wicketkeeper), S Meghna, Poonam Yadav, Deepti Sharma, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Simran Bahadur, Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Meghna Singh, Pooja Vastrakar, Renuka Singh, Taniya Bhatia (wicketkeeper), and Harleen Deol.