Smriti Mandhana Appointed All-Format Captain as India Announce Squads for Zimbabwe White-Ball Series

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Women’s Selection Committee has officially appointed left-hand opening batter Smriti Mandhana as the new captain of the women’s side across formats. Smriti takes the reins from Harmanpreet Kaur, who recently stepped down from the role shortly after a review meeting held in Guwahati with BCCI officials.

 

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With Harmanpreet only active as a player now, the selection committee has announced the Indian women’s squad for the upcoming home series against the Zimbabwean women. The six-match white-ball tour begins with three T20 Internationals in Raipur, followed by three One Day Internationals in Vadodara.

Zimbabwe Tour of India 2026 Schedule

The Zimbabwean tour of India 2026 is set to get underway on October 16. The series comprises 3 T20Is in Raipur followed by 3 ODIs in Vadodara. Check the full schedule below.

Indian Women’s Squad led by Smriti Mandhana

Take a look at the complete squad for the white-ball home series against Zimbabwe.

Indian women T20I Squad:

Smriti Mandhana (C), Shafali Verma (VC), Niki Prasad, Harmanpreet Kaur, Anushka Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), G Kamalini (WK), Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Sree Charani, Nandni Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Jintimani Kalita, Minnu Mani.

Indian women ODI Squad:

Smriti Mandhana (C), Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur, Harleen Deol, Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma (VC), Richa Ghosh (WK), Yastika Bhatia (WK), Vaishnavi Sharma, Nandni Sharma, Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, Renuka Thakur.

Key Takeaways

• Smriti Mandhana will helm both squads as captain. Dynamic opening partner Shafali Verma has been appointed as her deputy in the T20I squad, while bowling all-rounder Deepti Sharma will serve as the vice-captain for the ODI series.
• Senior core members including Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh, Sree Charani, and Kranti Gaud, have been selected to play in both formats.
• In the shortest format, the selectors have blended experienced names with promising young players.
• The T20I setup features Niki Prasad, Anushka Sharma, G Kamalini, Prema Rawat, Jintimani Kalita, and Minnu Mani.
• Richa Ghosh will handle wicketkeeping duties, supported by backup keeper G Kamalini.
• For the ODI series, the team welcomes back specialized batters Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, and Tejal Hasabnis to solidify the middle order.
• Yastika Bhatia joins as the second wicketkeeping option alongside Richa Ghosh.
• Pacers Sayali Satghare and Renuka Thakur add depth to the fast-bowling unit alongside spinners Vaishnavi Sharma and Deepti Sharma.