India will enter a new phase when the women’s team hosts Zimbabwe for a six-match series this month. It includes three T20Is in Raipur and three ODIs in Vadodara. Separate squads have been picked for the two formats by the Women’s Selection Committee. The series will also mark Smriti Mandhana’s first assignment as India’s full-time white-ball captain. She will now lead India in both formats.
Mandhana was appointed India captain by the BCCI on October 6, 2026, after <a href="https://cricket.international/bcci-pushed-leadership-change-resulting-in-harmanpreet-kaur-stepping-down-as-india-captain-reports/" title="BCCI Pushed Leadership Change Resulting in Harmanpreet Kaur Stepping Down as India Captain: Reports”>Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down. She has been part of the Indian team since 2013 and already has leadership experience at international level. Mandhana has captained India in 18 T20Is and 4 ODIs in international cricket. She has also led successfully in franchise cricket, guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru to Women’s Premier League titles in 2024 and 2026.
India T20I Squad vs Zimbabwe:
Smriti Mandhana (C), Shafali Verma (VC), Niki Prasad, Harmanpreet Kaur, Anushka Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), G Kamalini (WK), Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Sree Charani, Nandni Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Jintimani Kalita, Minnu Mani
T20I Series Schedule:
Friday, 16 October 2026 – 1st T20I, 7:00 PM IST, Raipur
Sunday, 18 October 2026 – 2nd T20I, 7:00 PM IST, Raipur
Tuesday, 20 October 2026 – 3rd T20I, 7:00 PM IST, Raipur
Shafali Verma has been chosen as Mandhana’s deputy for the T20I series against Zimbabwe. Her appointment gives India a new leadership pair in the shortest format. Shafali will now take on more responsibility as Mandhana begins her full-time captaincy. The decision also gives the team a clear leadership structure before the series begins. The pair will begin the new setup in Raipur for India.
India ODI Squad vs Zimbabwe:
Smriti Mandhana (C), Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur, Harleen Deol, Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma (VC), Richa Ghosh (WK), Yastika Bhatia (WK), Vaishnavi Sharma, Nandni Sharma, Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, Renuka Thakur
ODI Series Schedule:
Friday, 23 October 2026 – 1st ODI, 2:00 PM IST, Vadodara
Sunday, 25 October 2026 – 2nd ODI, 2:00 PM IST, Vadodara
Wednesday, 28 October 2026 – 3rd ODI, 2:00 PM IST, Vadodara
Deepti Sharma will be Mandhana’s vice-captain for the ODI series against Zimbabwe. She has been given the role for the three-match 50-over leg, forming another leadership pairing for India. Shafali and Deepti will therefore serve as vice-captains in their respective formats. This gives Mandhana support across the home series. India will head into the ODIs with a clearly defined leadership group in place.
Harmanpreet Kaur will continue as a player even after leaving the captaincy. She has been included in both the T20I and ODI squads for the Zimbabwe series. Her experience will remain available to the team as Mandhana takes charge of the side. Harmanpreet’s decision is about giving up the captaincy and not ending her international career. She will continue to play and contribute in both formats.
The Zimbabwe tour will begin with India’s new leadership setup in place. Mandhana will captain both formats, while Shafali will be her T20I deputy and Deepti will take that role in the ODIs. Harmanpreet will remain available as a player in both squads. The T20Is will be held in Raipur from October 16 to 20, followed by the ODIs in Vadodara from October 23 to 28. India will begin the six-match series with a fresh leadership group.
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Source: femalecricket.com
