Smriti Mandhana era begins as India name squads for Zimbabwe white-ball series

Smriti Mandhana will begin a new chapter as India women’s captain against Zimbabwe after the BCCI named separate 15-member squads for the three-match T20I and ODI series beginning in Raipur on October 16.

The series will be Mandhana’s first assignment since being appointed India captain, succeeding Harmanpreet Kaur. Harmanpreet, who stepped down from the leadership role, has been retained as a player in both squads.

Mandhana takes charge

The BCCI formally announced Mandhana’s appointment on October 6, bringing an end to Harmanpreet’s tenure at the helm. Mandhana, one of India’s most experienced players, has previously captained the national side in Harmanpreet’s absence and has substantial leadership experience in franchise cricket.

She has led India in 18 T20Is and four ODIs before taking over the job on a full-time basis. At the franchise level, she captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru to Women’s Premier League titles in 2024 and 2026.

BCCI president Mithun Manhas said Mandhana had consistently demonstrated the qualities required to lead and that her experience and understanding of the game would be valuable in the new role.

The leadership structure will differ between formats for the Zimbabwe series. Shafali Verma has been appointed vice-captain for the T20Is, while senior all-rounder Deepti Sharma will be Mandhana’s deputy in the ODIs.

Harmanpreet stays on

Harmanpreet’s inclusion in both squads confirms that the leadership transition does not mark the end of her international career.

The 37-year-old relinquished the captaincy after a long stint during which India reached the 2020 T20 World Cup final, won Commonwealth Games silver in 2022 and claimed Asian Games gold medals in 2023 and 2026.

Her tenure also included India’s maiden Women’s ODI World Cup triumph in 2025.

Having Harmanpreet remain in the side gives Mandhana an experienced senior player during the early stages of her captaincy, even as the selectors introduce several younger names across the two formats.

T20I squad

India have included Shafali alongside Mandhana at the top of the T20I group, while Niki Prasad and Anushka Sharma are among the younger batters selected.

Richa Ghosh and G Kamalini are the two wicketkeeping options. Deepti, Prema Rawat, Sree Charani and Minnu Mani provide spin and all-round options, while Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Jintimani Kalita and Nandni Sharma form part of the bowling group.

India T20I squad: Smriti Mandhana (captain), Shafali Verma (vice-captain), Niki Prasad, Harmanpreet Kaur, Anushka Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), G Kamalini (wicketkeeper), Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Sree Charani, Nandni Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Jintimani Kalita and Minnu Mani.

ODI changes

The ODI squad has a somewhat different composition, with Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol and Tejal Hasabnis included in the batting group.

Deepti has been elevated to vice-captain, while Richa and Yastika Bhatia are the two wicketkeepers. Renuka Thakur returns to the ODI attack alongside Kranti, Sayali Satghare and Nandni.

Vaishnavi Sharma and Sree Charani give India left-arm spin options.

India ODI squad: Smriti Mandhana (captain), Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur, Harleen Deol, Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma (vice-captain), Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Yastika Bhatia (wicketkeeper), Vaishnavi Sharma, Nandni Sharma, Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare and Renuka Thakur.

Six matches scheduled

Zimbabwe’s tour comprises six matches, beginning with three T20Is at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur.

The opening T20I will be played on October 16, followed by the second match on October 18 and the third on October 20. All three games will begin at 7 pm.

The teams will then travel to Vadodara for three ODIs. The matches are scheduled for October 23, 25 and 28, with each beginning at 2 pm.

The Zimbabwe series gives India an immediate opportunity to begin the transition under Mandhana while retaining the core of the side that played under Harmanpreet. For Mandhana, it marks the start of a full-time leadership role after years as one of the team’s senior players and deputy captain.