India women are poised for a new leadership chapter ahead of their upcoming white-ball tour of Zimbabwe. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Tuesday that Smriti Mandhana will assume the captaincy after Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down from the role earlier that day. Harmanpreet, however, remains part of both squads for the six‑match series.
A dawn of a new era
Smriti Mandhana takes charge as the Captain of the Indian Women’s cricket team
Go well, Captain
More details | @mandhana_smriti pic.twitter.com/27AxmrUhKt
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 6, 2026
Smriti Mandhana Assumes Leadership of India
Mandhana brings substantial leadership experience, having played for India since 2013 and previously captained the side in 22 white-ball matches. In T20Is she has an 11‑win, six‑loss record with one no‑result, while her ODI captaincy record is flawless — India won all four matches she led. She has also proven herself a successful leader in the Women’s Premier League, steering Royal Challengers Bengaluru to titles in 2024 and 2026.
She has led RCB in 35 WPL matches, securing 18 wins and 17 losses. Her combined international and franchise experience will be vital as she guides India’s women’s side in both T20I and ODI formats. Shafali Verma has been appointed her deputy for the T20I series, while Deepti Sharma will serve as vice‑captain for the ODIs.
Niki Prasad Receives First T20I Call‑up
The T20I squad includes several changes, most notably the addition of Niki Prasad. The 20‑year‑old right‑handed middle‑order player has already made an impression in the WPL with Delhi Capitals, amassing 153 runs over seven innings. Her recent showings for India A against Australia have bolstered her claim for an international berth. She scored 91 in the one‑off three‑day game, followed by 76 in the third one‑day match, and remained unbeaten on 54 off 31 balls in the second T20.
Anushka Sharma makes a return to the T20I squad after featuring in three matches against South Africa. The Gujarat Giants player has amassed 177 runs in seven WPL innings and recently recorded three consecutive fifties in the one‑day series against Australia A. Jemimah Rodrigues continues her recovery from a hamstring injury suffered during The Hundred.
The three T20Is will take place in Raipur on October 16, 18 and 20, with the three ODIs scheduled for Vadodara on October 23, 25 and 28.
India’s 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.
India’s 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.
