Reema Malhotra replaces Gouher Sultana in India women squad

Pallekele:  Reema Malhotra, the allrounder, has been confirmed as replacement for Gouher Sultana, the left-arm spinner, in the Indian women's squad for the ICC Women's World Twenty20 2012. Malhortra was confirmed as a replacement by the Event Technical Committee of the Women's World T20, with the confirmation conveyed to the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

Both Sultana and Malhotra were part of the Indian women's squad that travelled to England in June-July 2012 and both had a couple of good performances. Malhotra, 31, is  a right-handed batter and legbreak spinner from Delhi. She will replace an indisposed Sultana, who is suffering from a virus and is unable to compete in the Women’s World T20.

Sultana, 24, is from Hyderabad, and made her international debut against Pakistan in May 2008.

As with all players in the tournament, the eligibility of a replacement player is subject to approval by the ICC before that player can be officially added to the squad.

India will begin their campaign in the Women's World T20 on Thursday (September 27) against Australia.

The Event Technical Committee of the World T20 consists of Geoff Allardice (ICC, chairman), Ajit Jayasekera (host representative), Campbell Jamieson (IDI representative), Ashley D'Silva (host representative), David Lloyd (independent nomination) and Ramiz Raja (independent nomination).

The confirmed India women's squad for the World T20: Mithali Raj (capt), Harmanpreet Kaur, Sulakshana Naik, Jhulan Goswami, Amita Sharma, Shublazmi Sharma, Archana Das, Ekta Bisht, Reema Malhotra, Niranjana Nagarajan, Mona Meshram, Poonam Raut, Anuja Patil, Rasnara Pawin.