Bhavika Ahire to captain India U19 women in Sri Lanka white-ball series
Synopsis
The BCCI has handed Bhavika Ahire the captaincy of India's Under-19 women's side for a six-match home series against Sri Lanka — three T20s in Chennai and three ODIs in Puducherry. With the next U19 World Cup cycle in view, selectors are watching closely to see who steps up from this emerging pool of talent.
Key Takeaways
Bhavika Ahire named captain (T20 and ODI) of India U19 women for the home series against Sri Lanka U19 .
Mahak Narwase appointed vice-captain across both formats.
Series comprises 3 T20Is in Chennai (22, 24, 27 June) and 3 ODIs in Puducherry (30 June, 3 & 6 July).
Eight players — including Ira Jadhav , Purva Siwach , and Kashvi Kandikuppa — retained across both squads.
Series is part of the BCCI 's long-term talent pipeline targeting the next ICC U19 Women's World Cup .
Bhavika Ahire has been named captain of the India Under-19 women's team for a six-match white-ball series against Sri Lanka U19 at home, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on 11 June. The wicketkeeper-batter will lead the side across both the T20 and One-Day formats, with Mahak Narwase appointed vice-captain in both squads.
Series Format and Schedule
The six-match assignment opens with three T20 internationals in Chennai — on 22 June, 24 June, and 27 June — before shifting to Puducherry for three One-Day matches on 30 June, 3 July, and 6 July. The split-venue format exposes the squad to varying pitch and weather conditions, adding to its developmental value.
Squad Composition
The selectors have maintained a strong common core across both formats. Players retained in both squads include Ira Jadhav, Ishwari Awasare, Purva Siwach, Kumari Palak, Kashvi Kandikuppa, Gouri Goyal, Janhavi Virkar, Anaadi Tagde, Mahto Nidhi, and wicketkeeper K Deeksha. The T20 side includes Tanishka Sharma, Avni Chawda, and Maniar Maitri, while the One-Day squad features Deeya Yadav, V Pratiksha, and Vidhi Parmar as format-specific additions.
Why This Series Matters
The Under-19 structure has become an increasingly critical stepping stone in Indian women's cricket, with the pathway directly feeding the senior national side. Bilateral series against overseas opposition offer young players experiences that domestic cricket alone cannot replicate — adapting to unfamiliar opponents, managing pressure situations, and adjusting to contrasting game scenarios. Notably, this series will be closely monitored by selectors as they begin identifying candidates for the next ICC Under-19 Women's World Cup cycle.
India's U19 Development Pipeline
Several players have successfully graduated from the Under-19 setup to senior international cricket in recent years, underlining the programme's effectiveness. The BCCI's continued investment in bilateral age-group contests reflects a broader strategic shift toward structured talent identification, rather than relying solely on domestic tournaments. Ahire's elevation as captain signals the selectors' confidence in her leadership credentials alongside her batting and keeping abilities.
With the series beginning on 22 June, all eyes will be on which young players stake a claim for the next phase of India's women's cricket pipeline.
Point of View
A trait that accelerates tactical development. The overlapping core across the T20 and ODI squads also reflects a conscious effort to build format-versatile cricketers rather than specialists, which is smart at this stage of the pathway. The real measure of this series, however, will not be the scoreline but how many of these names appear in senior white-ball squads within the next two years. India's women's pipeline has delivered before; the question is whether the system sustains that throughput as the competition for senior spots intensifies.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the captain of India U19 women's team for the Sri Lanka series?
Bhavika Ahire, a wicketkeeper-batter, has been named captain of the India Under-19 women's team for the six-match home series against Sri Lanka. Mahak Narwase will serve as vice-captain across both T20 and One-Day formats.
When and where is the India U19 women vs Sri Lanka U19 series being played?
The series runs from 22 June to 6 July 2025. The three T20 internationals will be held in Chennai on 22, 24, and 27 June, while the three One-Day matches take place in Puducherry on 30 June, 3 July, and 6 July.
What is the full India U19 women's T20 squad for the Sri Lanka series?
The T20 squad is: Bhavika Ahire (c & wk), Ira Jadhav, Tanishka Sharma, Ishwari Awasare, Avni Chawda, Mahto Nidhi, Purva Siwach, Kumari Palak, Mahak Narwase (vc), Kashvi Kandikuppa, Maniar Maitri, Gouri Goyal, Janhavi Virkar, Anaadi Tagde, K Deeksha (wk).
What is the full India U19 women's ODI squad for the Sri Lanka series?
The One-Day squad is: Bhavika Ahire (c & wk), Ira Jadhav, Deeya Yadav, Ishwari Awasare, V Pratiksha, Mahto Nidhi, Purva Siwach, Kumari Palak, Mahak Narwase (vc), Kashvi Kandikuppa, Vidhi Parmar, Gouri Goyal, Janhavi Virkar, Anaadi Tagde, K Deeksha (wk).
Why is the India U19 women's series against Sri Lanka significant?
The series is a key part of the BCCI's talent development pipeline, providing young players with international exposure ahead of the next ICC Under-19 Women's World Cup cycle. Bilateral contests against overseas sides offer competitive experiences that domestic cricket alone cannot provide.
