India Women's Cricket Team Heads to South Africa for T20I Series

Upcoming T20I Series in South Africa

Following a rigorous tour in Australia, the India Women’s cricket team is set to embark on a journey to South Africa for a five-match T20I series starting April 17. This series is viewed as a vital chance to evaluate team combinations in preparation for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, which is slated for June.

Anushka Sharma's Maiden Call-Up

A significant highlight from the squad announcement is the selection of Anushka Sharma, a young talent from Gujarat Giants, who has received her first call-up to the senior national team. Sharma showcased her skills during the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars, where she emerged as the fourth-highest run-scorer, contributing significantly to India’s championship victory. Additionally, she had a commendable performance in the Women’s Premier League 2025, accumulating 177 runs across seven matches with an average of 25.28.

Recognition for Consistency

Kashvee Gautam, another player from Gujarat Giants, has also been acknowledged for her consistent performances. She was part of the ODI squad during the Australia tour, where she took three wickets in three matches. Gautam now has the opportunity to make her T20I debut in South Africa.

Notable Omissions from the Squad

While several Gujarat players have been included, the selectors have made some notable exclusions. Mumbai Indians players Gunalan Kamalini and Amanjot Kaur, along with young spinner Vaishnavi Sharma, have been left out of the squad. This decision indicates the selectors' intention to explore new talent ahead of the upcoming global tournament.

Squad Leadership and Key Players

The team will be captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, with Smriti Mandhana acting as vice-captain. Other prominent players in the squad include Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, and wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh. Renuka Singh will lead the pace attack, while Shreyanka Patil and Kranti Gaud will enhance the spin options.

Full Squad for the South Africa Series

The complete squad for the series against South Africa is as follows: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud, Sree Charani, Shreyanka Patil, Kashvee Gautam, Bharti Fulmali, Uma Chetry (wk), and Anushka Sharma.