The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made a major change to India’s women’s squad for the 2026 Asian Games, with top-order batter Pratika Rawal replacing Jemimah Rodrigues in the 15-member team.

Jemimah has been ruled out of the tournament after suffering a high-grade right hamstring tear while playing for Southern Brave in The Hundred in England earlier this month.

The BCCI medical team confirmed the extent of the injury after assessing her at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

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Pratika Rawal Replaces Jemimah Rodrigues

Rawal has now been added to the Asian Games squad as Jemimah’s replacement, giving India another top-order batting option ahead of the tournament in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

The change comes after Rawal returned to the international setup during the ongoing Asia Cup. She made her T20I debut in the tournament and has been used in the important No. 3 position by the Indian team management.

Rawal’s return is a major event for her given her recent injury setbacks. She missed the 2026 WPL after recovering from the ankle injury she suffered during the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup. She subsequently completed her rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.

Jemimah’s Absence A Major Blow

Jemimah was originally named in India’s Asian Games squad announced in June, with Harmanpreet Kaur appointed captain and Smriti Mandhana vice-captain.

The batter was one of India’s key contributors during their World Cup-winning campaign and her absence represents a major setback for the defending Asian Games champions.

India Aim To Defend Gold Medal

India will enter the Asian Games as defending champions after winning the women’s cricket gold medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Games.

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The women’s cricket competition at the 2026 Asian Games is scheduled to take place from September 17 to 22, with India among the leading contenders for the gold medal.

India’s updated Asian Games Squad For Asian Games 2026

Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Bharti Fulmali, Richa Ghosh (WK), G. Kamalini (WK), Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Prema Rawat, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh, Sree Charani, Nandni Sharma.