Mumbai, Aug. 19 -- Harmanpreet Kaur is set to lead India for the first time in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup with Smriti Mandhana as her deputy, as India announced a solid 15-member squad for the 2025 edition and Australia series.

The tournament will take place from September 30 to November 2, with India playing the tournament opener against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru.

India will be hoping to go one step further at this year's tournament than they did in 2017, when they made it to their second Women's Cricket World Cup Final, missing out narrowly to England in a thrilling finish at Lord's.

Shafali Verma misses out on the 15-member squad. Pratika Rawal and Harleen Deol have been rewarded for their consistent performances, earning them a...