Anushka Sharma, Kashvee Gautam Picked for South Africa T20I Series

India's women's cricket team has announced its squad for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa, and it's a mix of fresh faces and experienced players. Anushka Sharma, a young all-rounder, has received her maiden call-up to the national team, thanks to her impressive performance in the Women's Premier League (WPL) with Gujarat Giants, scoring 177 runs in seven matches. Kashvee Gautam, a pace-bowling all-rounder, is also in line for her T20I debut, having already represented India in one Test and six ODIs. Left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma, who played all five T20Is against Sri Lanka but remained on the bench through the Australia T20Is, has also been left out. Allrounder Amanjot Kaur, who endured a tough time in Australia, scoring 3 and 1 in her two T20I appearances and conceding 30 runs in three overs, is also out of the squad. Gautam is one of four seam options in India's squad alongside Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh and Kranti Gaud. Deepti Sharma, Shree Charani and Shreyanka Patil make up the spin attack with Vaishnavi out. The 15-member squad is led by Harmanpreet Kaur, with Smriti Mandhana as her deputy. Other notable players include Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Deepti Sharma. The series will be played from April 17 to 27 in South Africa, serving as a crucial preparation for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in England. Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Smriti Mandhana (vice-capt), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud, Sree Charani, Shreyanka Patil, Kashvee Gautam, Bharti Fulmali, Uma Chetry (wk), Anushka Sharma.