Our Bureau
Mumbai
India have announced their squads for the upcoming all-format women’s tour of South Africa in December, with batter Jemimah Rodrigues returning after recovering from a hamstring injury. However, off-spinner Shreyanka Patil has once again missed out on selection for the T20I squad. Smriti Mandhana will lead India across all three formats, while Harmanpreet Kaur has been included in all three squads.
Rodrigues had picked up the injury while playing in England’s The Hundred in August, which kept her out of the Asia Cup, Asian Games and the recent home white-ball series against Zimbabwe. Her return strengthens India’s batting line-up ahead of the important overseas assignment. All-rounder Amanjot Kaur has also returned to the T20I squad after recovering from a back injury.
Shreyanka’s omission is among the notable selection decisions, especially after her recent performances in domestic cricket. She took 13 wickets in six matches in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy, including two five-wicket hauls. However, the selectors have opted for Deepti Sharma, Sree Charani and Prema Rawat among the specialist spin options in the T20I squad.
The tour will feature one Test, three ODIs and three T20Is. The Test match will begin in Gqeberha on December 9, followed by the ODI series from December 16 to 22 in Paarl, Cape Town and Bloemfontein. The T20I series will start in Benoni on December 26, with the remaining two matches scheduled in Potchefstroom on December 29 and 30.
Deepti Sharma will serve as vice-captain in the Test and ODI formats, while Shafali Verma will be Mandhana’s deputy in T20Is. Pacer Jintimani Kalita has earned a place in the Test and ODI squads, while Renuka Singh Thakur features only in the T20I team. The series will give India an opportunity to test their combinations across formats in overseas conditions.