India’s top-order batter Shafali Verma has been left out of the 16-member women’s team for next month’s ODI series in Australia. Verma has been struggling with poor form for the past year.

Harmanpreet Kaur will be leading the squad while Smriti Mandhana will be her deputy in the three-match series. India pacer Harleen Deol returned from injury, while Yastika Bhatia and Richa Ghosh are the two wicket-keeping options within the 16-player squad.

The first two ODIs are scheduled at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane on December 5 and December 8, while the final match will take place at the WACA Ground in Perth on December 11. The series is a part of the ICC Women’s Championship.

India’s squad also include Priya Punia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma, Minnu Mani, Priya Mishra, Radha Yadav, Titas Sadhu, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, and Saima Thakor.