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A promising chapter in Indian women’s cricket has taken an unexpected turn as left-arm spinner Shuchi Upadhyay has been ruled out of the upcoming white-ball tour of England starting on June 28, comprising of five T20Is and three ODIs. Upadhyay, who was set to make her T20I debut after an impressive domestic season and a recent ODI debut, will now watch from the sidelines.
A rising Indian star Shuchi Upadhyay sidelined ahead of England tour
Unfortunately, Upadhyay’s progress hit a roadblock during the pre-tour camp at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, where a left-shin injury was diagnosed. The setback is particularly poignant given her recent rise and the anticipation surrounding her T20I debut. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed her withdrawal, emphasizing the need for her to recover fully before returning to international action.
“The Women’s Selection Committee has named Radha Yadav as a replacement for Shuchi Upadhyay in Team India’s squads for the England tour. Shuchi was ruled out of the tour after sustaining a left shin injury, which was diagnosed during the pre-tour camp at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru,” the BCCI said in a statement.
Upadhyay’s journey to the national team has been marked by perseverance and standout performances. The 20-year-old spinner made her ODI debut during the tri-series in Sri Lanka against South Africa and was eagerly anticipating her first T20I appearance on England soil. Her selection was a reward for a stellar domestic season, where she emerged as the third-highest wicket-taker at the Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy in December, claiming 18 wickets at a remarkable economy rate of 3.48 and an average of 15.44 in nine innings. These efforts not only helped Madhya Pradesh clinch the title but also earned her the Player of the Tournament accolade.
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Experienced all rounder returns as a replacement
With Upadhyay ruled out, the selectors have turned to Radha Yadav, a seasoned left-arm spinner known for her composure and wicket-taking ability. Radha brings a wealth of experience, having played seven ODIs and 84 T20Is for India. She last featured in the national side in December 2024, where she impressed with four wickets against the West Indies in T20Is, though she was subsequently left out of the ODI squad for that series.
Radha’s recent form has been noteworthy, especially in the home series against New Zealand, where she finished as the highest wicket-taker in the one-dayers. Her inclusion provides India with a like-for-like replacement, ensuring the team retains a left-arm spin option as they prepare to face England in a challenging series comprising five T20Is and three ODIs, starting June 28.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
