Smriti Mandhana takes charge as Test captain for South Africa tour

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has officially announced the national squads for the upcoming tour of South Africa scheduled for December, introducing significant leadership updates and squad changes. Among the major announcements, star cricketer Smriti Mandhana has been named to lead the Indian Test team for the very first time in her career.

Alongside the captaincy announcement, the selection panel confirmed that Jemimah Rodrigues makes her return to the squad following a recovery from injury. Additionally, Jintimani Kalita has received her maiden Test call-up, marking an important milestone in her cricketing journey as she joins the traveling party for the South Africa series.

Smriti Mandhana will captain India in Tests for the first time during December.

Smriti Mandhana leads the squad

The inclusion of fresh faces alongside returning players highlights the depth of talent currently available in women's cricket. The tour is expected to present new competitive challenges for the visiting side, particularly with leadership transitions taking place ahead of the multi-format fixtures in South Africa.

Why it matters

This leadership change and squad selection mark a new phase for the Indian women's Test team as Smriti Mandhana takes over the captaincy reins. The integration of returning talent and new selections like Jintimani Kalita signals a strategic approach to team building for international fixtures.