SA W vs IND W 2026: India Women announce 15-member T20I squad, Anushka Sharma earns maiden call-up

India Women T20I squad (Photo Source: BCCI)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the 15-member T20I squad for the five-match series against South Africa. Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, the team will begin the series on April 17, an important step in preparation for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled in June in England.

The squad features regular players such as Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Renuka Thakur, and Jemimah Rodrigues. Anushka Sharma has been added following her impressive Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 performances for Gujarat Giants, scoring 177 runs at a strike rate of 129.20 and helping her team reach the playoffs. She joins as a backup batter, while Uma Chetry replaces G. Kamalini as India’s backup wicketkeeper.

Amanjot Kaur has been dropped after the last series win against Australia. Kashvee Gautam is included to strengthen the pace attack, joining Reuka Singh Thakur, Kranti Gaud, and Arundhati Reddy.

Vaishnavi Sharma has also been left out, having received limited opportunities in Australia. The Indian spin department remains strong with Deepti Sharma, Sree Charani, and Shreyanka Patil, making an additional spinner unnecessary, especially given South Africa’s conditions favouring pace, a trend expected to continue in England for the T20 World Cup.

India’s squad for South Africa Tour:

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), Anushka Sharma

India’s Tour of South Africa, 2026