The US announced its team for the 2019 ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa. The squad’s announcement has the Indian internet laughing.
Since most players were Indian, someone said it looked like “India B Team.”
Geetika Kodali will command a 15-player squad for the US, the 105th ICC member and newest ODI nation. Vice-captain is Anika Kolan. Former West Indies captain and Indian-origin cricketer Shivnarine Chanderpaul will coach the team.
The USA Cricket also announced the names of five
Chetnaa Prasad, Kasturi Vedantham, Lisa Ramjit, Mitali Patwardhan, and Tya Gonsalves.
Aditi Chudasama, Bhumika Bhadriraju, Disha Dhingra, Isani Vaghela, Jivana Aras, Laasya Mullapudi, Pooja Ganesh (wk), Pooja Shah, Ritu Singh, Sai Tanmayi Eyyunni, Snigdha Paul, Suhani Thadani, Taranum Chopra.
Group A includes Australia, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
The players’ origins have amused netizens. “The USA women’s cricket team is a more diversified representation of India than the Indian squad!:)”
Another said, “This is an Indian team,” and another offered “100% support.”
All squad members are of Indian origin but were born or reared in the US. Geetika began playing cricket at age 11 in California. She began official training at 15 at California’s Cricket Cricket Zeal Academy.
Vice-captain Anika, a wicketkeeper-batter, also started playing at age 9.
Nadia Gruny, USA Cricket Board Member and Women and Girls Committee Chair, says the World Cup is a dream come true for these young girls, who will be the first female cricketers to represent the US at any Cricket World Cup.
“Our squad represents a new generation of American cricketers, and we’re delighted to watch them shine on the world stage,” he said.
