World Champion Indian women’s cricket return to T20I Action Against Sri Lanka with Fresh Faces in the Squad

The Indian women’s cricket team will return to T20 International action later this month as they host Sri Lanka for a five-match T20I series starting December 21, marking the first assignment in the shortest format since India’s ODI World Cup triumph earlier this year.

With expectations high following their world champion status, the series offers both continuity in leadership and a glimpse into India’s evolving depth as the team transitions focus towards upcoming global events.

Harmanpreet Kaur will continue to lead the side, retaining her role as captain, with Smriti Mandhana named vice-captain. The leadership combination remains unchanged, reflecting the team management’s confidence in the duo that has overseen one of the most successful phases in Indian women’s cricket. Harmanpreet’s aggressive approach and tactical acumen, complemented by Mandhana’s calm presence at the top of the order, will form the backbone of India’s challenge in the T20 format.

The series will be played across two venues, beginning with the first two T20Is in Visakhapatnam on December 21 and 23, before shifting to Thiruvananthapuram for the final three matches on December 26, 28 and 30. The schedule provides India an opportunity to test combinations across varied conditions while managing player workloads at the end of a long season.

The squad features a strong core of established performers. Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues will anchor the batting unit alongside Harmanpreet, while all-rounders Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana offer balance and flexibility in both departments. Richa Ghosh continues as the primary wicketkeeping option, having cemented her place as one of the most impactful finishers in the format.

A notable return to the squad is that of Renuka Singh Thakur, who missed the tour of England earlier in the year. One of India’s premier powerplay bowlers in T20 cricket, Renuka’s ability to swing the new ball and strike early adds significant bite to the attack. Her availability strengthens India’s fast-bowling resources, especially alongside seamers like Arundhati Reddy and Kranti Gaud, who will be eager to make the most of home conditions.

The selection also reflects India’s intent to broaden its player pool, with fresh call-ups for wicketkeeper G Kamalini and young spinner Vaishnavi Sharma. Kamalini’s inclusion adds depth behind the stumps and offers competition in the wicketkeeping department, while Vaishnavi’s selection highlights the continued emphasis on nurturing spin talent. With T20 cricket increasingly demanding variety and control in the middle overs, Vaishnavi will have a valuable opportunity to showcase her skills against international opposition.

Harleen Deol and Amanjot Kaur provide further options in batting and all-round roles, while Sree Charani and Vaishnavi Sharma bolster the spin contingent alongside Deepti and Sneh Rana. The combination gives India a well-rounded bowling attack capable of adapting to different match situations.

For India, the Sri Lanka series is more than just a routine assignment. It serves as a crucial checkpoint as the team recalibrates for the T20 format following their ODI success. While Sri Lanka may enter as underdogs, the series will test India’s consistency, bench strength, and tactical adaptability in high-paced games.

With a settled leadership group, a strong core of match-winners, and promising new faces pushing for places, the five-match series offers India the ideal platform to blend continuity with experimentation. As the World Champions step back into T20I cricket, all eyes will be on how this evolving squad shapes the next phase of Indian women’s cricket.

Indian women’s cricket squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Harleen Deol, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh Thakur, Richa Ghosh, G Kamalini, Sree Charani, Vaishnavi Sharma