BCCI reveals India women’s squad for 5 T20Is in South Africa; Vaishnavi Sharma misses out
The Board of Control for Cricket in india has announced the T20I team for India’s women’s side. The team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, will play a five-match T20 series against South Africa in their home country, starting from April 17. The series will be of massive importance as India build towards preparing for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 which will be held in June in England. The 15-woman squad features regular names like Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Renuka Thakur and Jemimah Rodrigues.
However, a great new addition is Anushka Sharma after her strong performances in the Women's Premier League 2026. She scored 177 runs at a strike rate of 129.20 for Gujarat Giants, who reached the playoffs. She is added as a backup batter, getting her maiden call-up to the international side. Meanwhile, Uma Chetry has replaced G. Kamalini as India’s backup keeper. Also, there’s no place for Amanjot Kaur from India’s last series that they won over Australia in Australia.
India have brought in Kashvee Gautam to bolster the pace attack. Kashvee had a good W-ODI series in Australia and bowls quite fast. She will be gunning for a spot with other pace options in Renuka, Kranti Gaud and Arundhatti Reddy.
There is also no place for Vaishnavi Sharma, who did not get many chances during the tour of Australia. Also, India already has a strong spin attack with players like Deepti Sharma, Sree Charani, and Shreyanka Patil, so the team did not need another spinner. It is sensible as well since conditions in South Africa will be better suited to quicker bowlers. So will in England, where the T20 World Cup will be held.
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 Tour of South Africa 2026
| No. | Day | Date | Time (IST) | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Friday | 17-Apr-26 | 9:30 PM | 1st T20I | Durban |
| 2 | Sunday | 19-Apr-26 | 5:30 PM | 2nd T20I | Durban |
| 3 | Wednesday | 22-Apr-26 | 9:30 PM | 3rd T20I | Johannesburg |
| 4 | Saturday | 25-Apr-26 | 9:30 PM | 4th T20I | Johannesburg |
| 5 | Monday | 27-Apr-26 | 5:30 PM | 5th T20I | Benoni |
