India Women announce a 15-member squad for the five-match T20I series against South Africa beginning April 17 in Durban, Anushka Sharma receives her first T20I call-up.
New Delhi: One fresh name in Indian cricket is under scrutiny. For the upcoming five-match series against South Africa, selectors have given Anushka Sharma, a hard-hitting Gujarat all-rounder, her first Senior India Women’s T20I call-up.
Moreover, this opportunity reflects a dream experience for every young cricketer. For Anushka, it has come on the strength of a breakthrough Women’s Premier League 2026 season.
Furthermore, the BCCI formally announced the 15-member team on March 24. The series is scheduled to begin on April 17 in Durban. Continuing as captain is Harmanpreet Kaur; Smriti Mandhana remains vice-captain.
Five-match bilateral T20I series
It seems a five-match bilateral T20I series at first glance. But look a little further and the stakes become really obvious.
This is the first interaction India and South Africa are having following India’s victory over the Proteas in the 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup final—a result South Africa will be desperate to reverse. Beyond the revenge element, both teams are placed in the same group. Additionally, they will compete in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. The tournament is set to start on June 12 in England.
In the same group, India, South Africa, Australia, Pakistan, and two qualifiers make this series as much a scouting trip as it is a competition.
India come into this trip with confidence having defeated Australia 2-1 in a T20I series at home recently.
Anushka Sharma—Gujarat all rounder
Certainly the 22-year-old from Gujarat is the headline event. With 177 runs struck at a strike rate of almost 129, Anushka Sharma had a spectacular WPL 2026 campaign. At the WPL auction this year, she became the most costly uncapped player. Consequently, she carried a label loaded with great pressure. However, she managed it perfectly.
Her choice goes far beyond only batting. She offers India choices with the ball as an all-arounder, hence providing flexibility to a squad already loaded with firepower. Should she get a game, Indian viewers will be watching every ball.
Uma Chetry and Kashvee Gautam also in the frame
Anushka is not alone with something to prove. Her T20I debut is slated for fast bowler Kashvee Gautam, who has already represented India in ODIs and Tests. She fits into a seam attack already including the seasoned Renuka Thakur and Arundhati Reddy, therefore making India’s pace choices seem genuinely dangerous.
Following the Australia series, wicket-keeper Uma Chetry is back in the team as the second keeping choice behind Richa Ghosh.
Who Has been Left Out
Not everyone has gotten the nod. Senior spinner Sneh Rana has been cut together with young all-rounder Vaishnavi Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, and G Kamalini—all of whom were included in the Australia series team. It serves as a reminder that the contest for sites is intense and that the judges seem to be thinking ahead for the World Cup.
Complete Squad
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.
Series Timeline
Match Date Venue
- 1st T20 April 17 Durban
- 2nd T20 April 19 Durban
- 3rd T20 April 22 Johannesburg
- 4th T20 April 25 Johannesburg
- 5th T20 April 27 Benoni
India’s women are in a good spot currently. The foundation is strong, as it includes last year’s World Cup final victory, along with a series win against Australia, and a team that is steadily developing. Moreover, the squad understands that every game matters; therefore, this South Africa tour becomes the final significant preparation block before England 2026.
Meanwhile, for Anushka Sharma, everything begins with a single match in Durban on April 17.
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