In a major boost for India’s preparations for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England and Wales (June 12 to July 5), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a dynamic 15-member squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa.
Led by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, the side features uncapped batter Anushka Sharma’s exciting maiden call-up after her breakout Women’s Premier League (WPL) campaign with Gujarat Giants in the 4th edition of the tournament, alongside T20I debutant hopeful Kashvee Gautam. The announcement also marks the return of wicketkeeper Uma Chetry.
This tour, running from April 17 to 27, pits India against Laura Wolvaardt’s Proteas in Durban, Johannesburg, and Benoni, serving as a crucial momentum builder post their 2-1 triumph over Australia Down Under.
Anushka Sharma grabs headlines with her first T20I nod, fresh off a memorable WPL stint where she amassed 177 runs in seven games at an average of 25.28 and a blistering strike rate of 129.19. Seam-bowling allrounder Kashvee Gautam, already capped in one Test and six ODIs, was recently seen in action during the recent Australia tour, eyeing to make her mark on her potential T20I debut in the series. The pace attack is bolstered with the likes of Renuka Singh, Arundhati Reddy and Kranti Gaud.
Wicketkeeper Uma Chetry makes a timely comeback as backup to the regular gloveswoman, having sat out the Australia series. Her inclusion adds depth behind the stumps and signals selectors’ faith in her potential.
The squad trims from the 16-member Australia group, dropping left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma (who featured in all five T20Is against Sri Lanka but warmed the bench on most occasions Down Under, 17-year-old G Kamalini (no games since her Sri Lanka debut), allrounder Amanjot Kaur (scored 3 and 1 in two outings, conceded 30 runs in three overs), and Sneh Rana. The spin department now hinges on Deepti Sharma, Sree Charani, and Shreyanka Patil.
India’s squad for South Africa T20Is:
Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), 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), Anushka Sharma
The action kicks off in Durban with T20Is on April 17 and 19, shifts to Johannesburg for matches on April 22 and 25, and wraps up in Benoni on April 27. With eyes on World Cup glory, Harmanpreet’s charges aim to harness their Australia momentum, fine-tune combinations, and test emerging talents against a formidable South Africa unit.
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