India skipper defends Asia Cup squad selection amid criticism

Indian women's cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur has publicly defended her team's selection for the upcoming Asia Cup, addressing concerns raised by former captain Anjum Chopra. Chopra had expressed doubts about the inclusion of Pratika Rawal in the squad.

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We have picked the best squad available for the selection. All of them have given a very impressive performance and that is why they are in the team.

Kaur, who led India to ODI World Cup glory in November 2025, asserted that the selected team comprises the best available players. "All of them have given a very impressive performance and that is why they are in the team," Kaur stated. Rawal was brought in as a replacement for Jemimah Rodrigues, who suffered a hamstring tear while playing in The Hundred.

Rawal's selection has drawn scrutiny as it marks her maiden T20I call-up, and she has not played a T20 game since the Challenger Trophy in November 2024. Furthermore, she missed the WPL 2026 season due to an ankle injury sustained during the 2025 ODI World Cup. Chopra's concern also extended to whether Rawal, an untested player returning from injury, should be immediately included in the playing eleven.

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We have a strong team and we have played a lot of cricket here before so I am pretty much confident that we will lift the trophy.

Despite the selection debate, Kaur is confident about India's prospects in the Asia Cup. The team, seven-time winners of the tournament, aims to reclaim the trophy after being defeated in the 2024 final by Sri Lanka. India will commence their Group A campaign on August 30 against Thailand, followed by matches against Hong Kong China and Pakistan. Kaur noted the positive atmosphere in the dressing room, fueled by recent successes, including a win at Lord's.

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We have played some excellent cricket in the 4-5 years and we are coming into the tournament on the back of a win at Lord’s. So there is a positive vibe in the dressing room as everyone is talking about winning the matches.

Meanwhile, the UAE team, led by seasoned all-rounder Esha Oza, is also preparing for the eight-team tournament. Placed in Group B, the UAE will face Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Bangladesh. Oza expressed excitement about playing against top teams like India and Pakistan, believing their familiarity with UAE conditions will be an advantage.

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We are excited with the prospect of playing with the big teams like India and Pakistan. We have played a lot of cricket in the UAE and know the conditions pretty well.