Indrani Roy disappointed by selection snub

Indrani Roy, the wicketkeeper-batter from Jharkhand, expressed her disappointment at missing out on the 22-member touring party for India's tour to Australia.

"It hurts to miss out on the team selection. I was not given a chance to show my skills in England. In fact, I didn't even get enough net practice there," she was quoted as saying to Times of India.

Roy, who earned her maiden call-up to the Indian squad for their tour to England after topping the run-charts in the 2020-21 Senior One-Day tournament, spent the entire series on the bench. Included in all three formats, Roy served as back up to Taniya Bhatia in the Test and ODIs, before she watched part-time 'keeper Richa Ghosh handed the gloves in the T20Is.

She was included in the 30-member camp in Bangalore alongside fellow 'keepers Taniya, Ghosh, Shweta Verma, and Yastika Bhatia. The group underwent several open net sessions before the traveling contingent was announced last Tuesday (August 24).

"I have given my best in this camp. During the match simulation practice, I was given a target of 70 runs in 60 balls, and I achieved that. I was dismissed just twice, while others were given several opportunities," she said.

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Women's CricZone understands that it was only after the team announcement that two day-night one-day practice matches were held at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.

Having not been given an opportunity during the series against England, Roy's exclusion is as surprising as that of opening batter Priya Punia and allrounder Simran Dil Bahadur who impressed in her maiden series against South Africa.

Among the 22-member squad, pacers Meghna Singh and Renuka Singh Thakur earned maiden call ups, while uncapped Yastika was recalled. Left arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad returns as well.

Earlier today Cricket Australia officially confirmed that the series will be played entirely out of Queensland beginning on September 21, 2021, in Mackay. The day-night Test has shifted to Carrara Stadium in Gold Coast. The squad will undergo a 14-day hard quarantine before they are able to commence training.