India women are set for a new leadership era ahead of their upcoming white-ball assignment against Zimbabwe. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Tuesday that Smriti Mandhana will take over as captain after Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down from the role earlier in the day. Harmanpreet, however, remains part of both squads for the six-match series.
A dawn of a new era ✨
Smriti Mandhana takes charge as the Captain of the Indian Women’s cricket team 🇮🇳
Go well, Captain 🫡
More details ▶️ https://t.co/tbLb4jOiCn#TeamIndia | @mandhana_smriti pic.twitter.com/27AxmrUhKt
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 6, 2026
Smriti Mandhana takes charge of India
Mandhana brings considerable leadership experience to the role, having represented India since 2013 and previously captained the side in 22 white-ball matches. Her record includes 18 T20Is, where she has registered 11 wins and six defeats, with one game ending without a result. Her ODI captaincy record is even more impressive, with India winning all four matches in which she has led the side. Mandhana has also established herself as a successful leader in the Women’s Premier League, guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru to titles in 2024 and 2026.
She has captained RCB in 35 WPL matches, recording 18 victories and 17 defeats. Her experience at both international and franchise level will now be crucial as she takes charge of India’s women’s team across the two white-ball formats. Shafali Verma has been named Mandhana’s deputy for the T20I series, while Deepti Sharma will serve as vice-captain in the ODIs.
Also READ: Harmanpreet Kaur’s record as India captain in Tests, ODIs and T20Is
Niki Prasad earns maiden T20I call-up
The T20I squad features several changes, including the inclusion of Karnataka batter Niki Prasad. The 20-year-old right-hander, who operates in the middle order, has already made an impact in the WPL with Delhi Capitals, scoring 153 runs across seven innings. Her recent performances for India A against Australia have strengthened her case for international selection. Niki scored 91 in the one-off three-day game, followed it with 76 in the third one-day match and remained unbeaten on 54 off 31 balls in the second T20.
Anushka Sharma also returns to the T20I squad after previously representing India in three matches against South Africa. The Gujarat Giants player has accumulated 177 runs in seven WPL innings and recently produced three consecutive fifties in the one-day series against Australia A. Jemimah Rodrigues continues her recovery from a hamstring injury sustained during The Hundred.
The three T20Is will be played in Raipur on October 16, 18 and 20, followed by three ODIs in Vadodara on October 23, 25 and 28.
India’s T20I squad: 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.
India’s ODI squad: 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.
Also SEE: Harmanpreet Kaur’s fashion game: 5 looks that prove she is a style queen
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
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