Former captain highlights need for bench strength testing in upcoming Asia Cup

New Delhi, 26 August – Anjum Chopra, who led India in the past, warned that the Women’s Asia Cup should double as a platform to gauge bench strength ahead of the ICC Women’s Champions Trophy.

The seven‑time winners fell short in the 2024 final against Sri Lanka, prompting a reassessment of the squad. Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the side as it opens Group A against Thailand on 30 August, followed by matches with Hong Kong, China and Pakistan.

After a premature exit from the T20 World Cup, the Asian title has become essential for morale. Chopra told IANS that the team must “think only about winning” because they missed the chance last time. She also noted Sri Lanka’s strong showing in the previous final, making them a formidable adversary.

The squad for the Dubai International Cricket Stadium closely resembles the 2026 World Cup lineup, except for the absence of Yastika Bhatia and injuries to Jemimah Rodrigues and Shreyanka Patil. Chopra urged players to play with maximum skill, respect every opponent and use the 20‑over format to test their abilities.

She advocated for using the Asia Cup and the Asian Games to trial younger players, mentioning Bharati Fulmali and Renuka Singh Thakur as examples of talent that has not received enough opportunities. According to Chopra, these tournaments are ideal for assessing who can claim a permanent spot.

Chopra also called on the board to treat India ‘A’ matches as stringent evaluations of form and fitness, similar to Australia’s approach. Rotating the side against teams like Zimbabwe could further reveal depth.

In summary, the former skipper stresses a transparent selection process, consistent chances for fringe players and a focused winning mindset to ensure the team is ready for the Champions Trophy.