Indian Women's Cricket Team Announced for T20I Series Against South Africa

Announcement of the Squad

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has revealed the roster for the Indian women's cricket team, which will compete in a five-match T20I series against South Africa starting next month.

Series Schedule

This T20I series is set to commence on April 17 and will conclude on April 27. Harmanpreet Kaur will captain the team, with Smriti Mandhana serving as the vice-captain.

Key Players and Squad Highlights

The squad features notable players such as Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Bharti Fulmali, Uma Chetry, Anushka Sharma, and wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, ensuring a robust batting lineup. Anushka Sharma, who played for Gujarat Giants in the recent Women's Premier League (WPL), has earned her first call-up to the national team.

In the WPL, she was a standout performer, amassing 177 runs across seven innings with an average of 25.28, a strike rate of 129.19, and a top score of 44. The Gujarat Giants' campaign ended in the playoffs after a defeat to Delhi Capitals.

Bowling Lineup

The spin department will include Shreyanka Patil and Shree Charani, joining the experienced Deepti Sharma. The pace attack will feature Renuka Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, and Kranti Gaud.

Complete Squad for the South Africa Tour

The full squad is as follows: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Sree Charani, Shreyanka Patil, Kashvee Gautam, Bharti Fulmali, Uma Chetry (WK), and Anushka Sharma.

T20I Series Match Locations

The initial two matches will be held in Durban on April 17 and 19, followed by two more in Johannesburg on April 22 and 25. The series will wrap up with the final match in Benoni on April 27.