BCCI Announces India Squad For South Africa T20Is; Mumbai Indians Star Dropped

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia issued an official press release [Source: AFP]

In a significant development, the BCCI announced the India Women's squad for South Africa T20Is. The BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia made the announcement through an official press release. 

Led by the legendary Harmanpreet Kaur, India women will travel to South Africa for a five-match T20I series against the host nation. 

The Women in Blue recently enjoyed stellar success in the shortest format, registering a clinical series win over Australia Down Under. 

Harmanpreet Kaur and her troops secured two thumping victories against their Australian counterparts, showcasing red-hot form before the Women's T20 World Cup. 

Despite the remarkable series triumph, the Indian team made a bold change to their squad for the South Africa T20Is, with the BCCI selection committee dropping renowned Mumbai Indians all-rounder Amanjot Kaur. 

Harmanpreet Kaur to lead Indian batting with Smriti Mandhana vs South Africa

The reliable duo of Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana will spearhead the Indian batting in the South Africa series. 

Stylish opener Smriti Mandhana smashed 129 runs at an average of 64.50 in the Australia T20Is, while captain Kaur would be keen to bounce back after two successive underwhelming outings Down Under. 

Apart from the legendary batting pair, the onus will also be on Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues to consolidate the Indian innings with scintillating stroke play. 

Meanwhile, the explosive duo of Richa Ghosh and Bharti Fulmali would be eager to exhibit its power-hitting prowess in the slog overs. 

Mumbai Indians all-rounder Amanjot Kaur is an integral member of the Indian women's team in ODI cricket. Amanjot, who played a key role in India's maiden Women's World Cup triumph last year, failed miserably in the Australia T20Is. 

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The Mumbai Indians ace managed only four runs in two outings while failing to scalp a single wicket with his medium-pace. 

As the BCCI hasn't provided an injury update, it's believed that Amanjot Kaur has been dropped from the India women's squad for South Africa T20Is due to her poor returns. 

Anushka Sharma, Kashvee Gautam and Uma Chetry return to India squad for South Africa T20Is

Apart from Mumbai Indians' Amanjot Kaur, Sneh Rana, Gunalan Kamalini and Vaishnavi Sharma are the other players to miss out on selection in the India women's squad for South Africa T20Is. 

In Amanjot's absence, Kashvee Gautam enters the India women's squad for South Africa T20Is as the first-choice seam-bowling all-rounder. Kashvee was impressive with both bat and ball in the ODI series against Australia, scoring 68 runs and scalping three wickets. 

Anushka Sharma, who hammered 177 runs at a healthy strike rate of 129.20 makes it into the India women's squad for South Africa T20Is as a specialist batter. Meanwhile, Uma Chetry fills the reserve wicketkeeper's slot as a backup for Richa Ghosh. 

ICC player of the month winner Arundhati Reddy to lead India bowling attack

Ace speedster Arundhati Reddy, who bagged the prestigious ICC women’s player of the Month award for February, will lead the Indian pace battery with the experienced Renuka Singh Thakur. 

Arundhati Reddy starred with the ball during the Indian team’s Australia tour, leading the tourists to a phenomenal T20I series win. The right-arm pacer scalped eight wickets in just three matches at a magnificent strike rate of 9. 

After winning her maiden ICC player of the month award, Arundhati Reddy would be keen to sustain her purple patch and spearhead the Indian bowling attack with Renuka, Kranti Goud, Shree Charani and Shreyanka Patil. 

India Women's squad for South Africa T20Is

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 players' role-wise distribution)

India Women's tour of South Africa 2026 schedule

The five-match T20I series against the Proteas will provide a golden opportunity to the Indian team to prepare for the Women's T20 World Cup. The five matches will be conducted across three venues- Durban, Johannesburg and Benoni. 

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