Smriti Mandhana takes helm as India women announce squads for Zimbabwe series

Smriti Mandhana takes over as captain of the Indian womens cricket team, leading the T20I and ODI squads with Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma as vice-captains for the upcoming home series against Zimbabwe.IMAGE: Smriti Mandhana has succeeded Harmanpreet Kaur as captain of the Indian womens cricket team. Photograph: BCCI/XKey PointsSmriti Mandhana appointed captain for India Womens T20I and ODI squads.Shafali Verma named T20I vice-captain, Deepti Sharma named ODI vice-captain.Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as captain but remains a player in both squads.India to play three T20Is in Raipur and three ODIs in Vadodara against Zimbabwe.Squads announced with new inclusions and Jemimah Rodrigues sidelined due to injury.Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma were on Tuesday named vice-captains for Indias T20I and ODI squads respectively, with both set to serve as deputies to newly-appointed captain Smriti Mandhana for the home series against Zimbabwe.The changes in Indias leadership group followed Harmanpreet Kaurs decision to step down as captain across formats.

While announcing her decision on social media, Harmanpreet vowed to continue as a player and was named in both the T20I and ODI squads for the series. Upcoming Zimbabwe Series DetailsIndia will take on Zimbabwe in a three-match T20 series to be played at Raipur on October 16, 18, and 20.The three-match ODI series will be played at Vadodara on October 23, 25, and 28.      • Too Late, Perhaps, But Mandhana Finally Gets Leadership RoleSquad Selections and Key AbsencesThe T20I squad saw Pratika Rawal being left out, while Niki Prasad, Minnu Mani, Anushka Sharma and Jintimani Kalita were drafted in.

All four had featured in the recent limited-overs and multi-day series against Australia Women.The ODI squad will have Rawal and Harleen Deol in the middle order, while Jemimah Rodrigues, who also missed the Womens T20 Asia Cup and the Asian Games, remains on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury earlier in August.The ODI side will also include Vaishnavi Sharma, who recently took a six-wicket haul against Australia Womens A, as well as Tejal Hasabnis and Sayali Satghare.Squads:For T20Is: Smriti Mandhana (Captain), Shafali Verma (Vice-Captain), Niki Prasad, Harmanpreet Kaur, Anushka Sharma, Richa Ghosh (Wicketkeeper), G Kamalini (Wicketkeeper), Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Sree Charani, Nandani Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Jintimani Kalita, Minnu Mani.For ODIs: Smriti Mandhana (Captain), Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur, Harleen Deol, Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma (Vice-Captain), Richa Ghosh (Wicketkeeper), Yastika Bhatia (Wicketkeeper), Vaishnavi Sharma, Nandani Sharma, Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, Renuka Thakur.

Source: www.rediff.com