In a major blow to the Indian women's team, Harmanpreet Kaur has been ruled out of the upcoming limited overs series against England, slated to begin from February 22. She has sustained an ankle injury and will be missing out on the entire series which comprises of 3 ODIs followed by as many T20Is.
Rookie Harleen Deol, who played two warm-up games against English women, got her maiden berth in the squad. The ODIs are a part of ICC Women's Championship and points will be carried forward.
It has been learnt that Harmanpreet had sustained an ankle injury during a training session in Patiala and has a grade 2 tear. She will now undergo rehabilitation programme at the NCA in Bengaluru where the extent of the injury will be ascertained.
If Harmanpreet fails to get fit on time for the T20Is, then Smriti Mandhana will be leading the side.
India have already retained the 15-member women's squad, led by skipper Mithali Raj, that played in the New Zealand series for the upcoming three-match ODI rubber against England starting on February 22 in Mumbai.
India Women's squad for ODI series: Mithali Raj (Captain), Jhulan Goswami, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Taniya Bhatia (wicket-keeper), R Kalpana (wicket-keeper), Mona Meshram, Ekta Bisht, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Poonam Yadav, Shikha Pandey, Mansi Joshi, Punam Raut.