Who is Mannat Kashyap? Know more about India's latest debutant

The inconsequential third and final ODI between India and Australia is being held at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday, January 2.

The Women in Blue comprehensively defeated the Aussies in the one-off Test match and would have been quietly confident about their chances in the ODIs. However, Alyssa Healy and Co. started with a bang, making light work of a 283-run target in the first ODI, winning by six wickets with 21 balls to spare. The second game was more evenly contested. The tourists managed to hold their nerves and secure a narrow three-run win to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

At the toss, ahead of the third ODI, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur announced that young Mannat Kashyap would be making her debut, replacing the injured Sneh Rana. Since this revelation, fans have been curious to know more about the 20-year-old Kashyap.

She came into the limelight in 2022 when she ran out a batter at the non-striker's end for backing up too far in a match between India Under-19 and South Africa Under-19. Last year, in January, Kashyap was a part of India's squad that won the Under-19 World Cup. She wasn't an immediate starter, but she finished with nine wickets from six games, including a four-wicket haul against Scotland. Only Parshavi Chopra picked up more wickets than her for India in the marquee event.

The left-arm spinner also played a pivotal role in the ACC Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2023 final later in 2023. Against Bangladesh, in the summit clash, she took the new ball and finished with excellent figures of 3/20 in four overs. In the 2024 Women's Premier League (WPL) auction, the Patiala-born was roped in by Gujarat Giants for INR 10 lakh. She would hope to make an impression on her India debut against one of the strongest sides in women's cricket.