Jemimah Rodrigues has been ruled out of the ACC Women’s Asia Cup 2026 and the Asian Games in Japan due to a right hamstring injury sustained on August 3 while playing for her team in The Hundred in England.
Following her return to India, the BCCI Medical Team performed a clinical assessment at the Center of Excellence in Bengaluru, confirming the diagnosis of a high-grade tear and halting her participation in both tournaments.
Pratika Rawal has been named as a replacement by the Women’s Selection Committee, and she will join India’s 15-member Asia Cup roster. Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the team, with Smriti Mandhana continuing as vice-captain.
The ACC Women’s Asia Cup 2026 will be held in the United Arab Emirates from August 28 to September 13, with matches taking place at Dubai International Stadium.
This is the tournament’s tenth edition, and the sixth in the T20 format. India’s group stage campaign begins on August 30 against Thailand, followed by a high-profile Group A encounter against Pakistan on September 5.
How severe is Jemimah Rodrigues’ hamstring injury?
Rodrigues sustained the injuries on August 3 while on duty in The Hundred in England. When she returned to India, the BCCI Medical Team performed a full clinical assessment at the Center of Excellence in Bengaluru, which revealed a high-grade rupture of the right hamstring.
That finding was bad enough to put her out of both the Women’s Asia Cup in the UAE and the Asian Games’ women’s cricket competition, which will take place in Japan from September 17 to September 24. At the moment, no definitive return date has been offered.
What does Pratika Rawal’s call-up signify for India’s Asia Cup chances?
Rawal’s participation covers the batting void left by Rodrigues in an experienced India squad. The squad’s fundamental leadership remains unaltered, with Harmanpreet at the forefront and Mandhana as her deputy.
India will be seeking to improve on its 2024 campaign, in which Sri Lanka upset them in the final to win the title and become the defending champions going into this season. With the Asian Games just a few days after the Asia Cup final on September 13, the UAE tournament provides as crucial training for the squad ahead of the multi-sport competition in Japan.
India Women’s Full Squad for ACC Women’s Asia Cup 2026 (Updated)
Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), G. Kamalini (WK), Arundhati Reddy, Prema Rawat, Radha Yadav, Sree Charani, Renuka Thakur, Nandni Sharma, Kranti Gaud, and Pratika Rawal
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