Mumbai: Smriti Mandhana’s tenure as India’s full-time women’s captain begins with a home series against Zimbabwe, with the BCCI announcing 15-player squads for three T20Is and three ODIs on October 6. It is the first-ever bilateral series between the two women’s sides.
Mandhana was confirmed as India’s captain across formats minutes before the squads were announced, succeeding Harmanpreet Kaur, who stepped down from the leadership on October 6 but will continue as a player and has been named in both squads.
Schedule
The three T20Is will be played in Raipur on October 16, 18 and 20, all starting at 7:00 PM IST. The ODI leg moves to Vadodara, with matches on October 23, 25 and 28 starting at 2:00 PM IST. The ODI series forms part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2025-29.
Leadership group
Shafali Verma has been named vice-captain for the T20I series, while Deepti Sharma will be Mandhana’s deputy in the ODIs. Mandhana, part of the national set-up since 2013, has previously captained India in 18 T20Is and four ODIs, and led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to Women’s Premier League titles in 2024 and 2026.
Squads
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, Minnu Mani.
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, Renuka Thakur.
Selection notes
Niki Prasad earns a place in the T20I squad after strong performances for India A, while Pratika Rawal misses the T20I cut but features in the ODI squad. Vaishnavi Sharma is included in the ODI group after a six-wicket haul for Australia Women A. Jemimah Rodrigues remains unavailable as she continues to recover from the hamstring injury sustained in August that also ruled her out of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup and the Asian Games.
Harmanpreet’s legacy
Harmanpreet steps down as one of India’s most successful captains. Appointed T20I skipper in 2016, she led India in a record 155 T20Is – the most by any captain, men’s or women’s – along with 51 ODIs and five Tests. Her tenure included India’s maiden ICC Women’s ODI World Cup title in November 2025, four Asia Cup titles, and back-to-back Asian Games gold medals in 2023 and 2026.
What’s at stake
Beyond the results, the series is Mandhana’s first examination as the permanent leader. The ODI leg carries Women’s Championship points, and with a new leadership group – Shafali, 22, as T20I deputy and the experienced Deepti as ODI deputy – the selectors have signalled a blend of continuity and renewal. For Zimbabwe, their first bilateral series against India is a landmark in itself.
