India handed a debut to 20-year-old left-arm spinner Mannat Kashyap in their 3rd and final ODI against Australia women on Tuesday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. In their first international fixture of the New Year, India made only one change to their line-up, leaving out all-rounder Sneh Rana who suffered a concussion injury during the second match of the series.

Mannat Kashyap was handed the India cap by Sneh Rana at the team huddle before the start of the match in a heartwarming moment. The young left-arm spinner from Paiala looked thrilled as sh posed with the India cap for the shutterbugs at the iconic venue.

Sneh Rana trained on the eve of the 3rd ODI in Mumbai, but the Indian team management seems to have decided against taking a risk. Sneh suffered a nasty on-field collision with teammate Pooja Vastrakar while fielding in the 2nd ODI and had to be taken to a hospital for scans. The all-rounder completed her quota of 10 overs despite the knock on her head, but she was taken for scans before the Indian chase after she complained of a headache.

India lost a close match, failing to chase down 259. India fell short of the total by just 3 runs and conceded a 2-0 unbeatable lead.

Notably, Mannat Kashyap is the third Indian after Shreyanka Patil and Saika Ishaque to make her ODi debut in the ongoing series against Australia. The three players and Bengal pacer Titas Sadhu were the four uncapped players who were picked in the squad, keeping in mind the preparations for the 2025 World Cup.

IND vs AUS, 3rd WODI Team News

India: Yastika Bhatia, Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh (wk), Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Mannat Kashyap, Pooja Vastrakar, Renuka Singh, Shreyanka Patil.

Australia Playing XI: Alyssa Healy (wk, c), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Alana King, Kim Garth, Megan Schutt.

WHO IS MANNAT KASHYAP?

Mannat Kashyap emerged as a standout performer in the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2023, showcasing her exceptional talent and contributing significantly to India’s triumph. Her prowess with the ball was on full display during the match against Scotland, where she delivered a game-changing spell, claiming four wickets for just 12 runs.

Kashyap’s impact throughout the tournament was substantial; she finished the group stages as the joint second-highest wicket-taker and the highest among the Indian contingent, despite playing only two matches. Her five wickets across those games came from a mere seven overs, underlining her efficiency and lethality as a bowler. She finished the tournament with 9 wickets in just 6 matches.

The young left-arm spinner’s impressive outings at the World Cup did not go unnoticed, as she entered the WPL 2024 auction with high expectations. Gujarat Giants signed the left-arm spinner for Rs 10 lakh.

Mannat Kashyap also shone in the Emerging Asia Cup 2023 T20 tournament final against Bangladesh, picking up a match-winning tally of 3 wickets and helping India successfully defend 127.