By Zim Sport Live Writer
India have named Smriti Mandhana as their new all-format captain for their upcoming tour of Zimbabwe, with the two sides set to meet in a bilateral international series for the first time.
Mandhana takes over as captain from Harmanpreet Kaur, who announced her decision to step down from the role on Tuesday.
The new India captain will lead her side in three T20Is and three ODIs against Zimbabwe, beginning on 16 October.
The series comes as Zimbabwe look to bounce back from a difficult home campaign against the West Indies.
The Lady Chevrons lost the three-match ODI series 2-1 before suffering a 3-0 defeat in the T20I series.
India will therefore provide another stern test for Zimbabwe as they prepare for their first bilateral international series against one of the leading teams in women’s cricket.
The T20I series will be played in Raipur, beginning with the opening match on 16 October, followed by games on 18 and 20 October.
The three-match ODI series will then move to Vadodara, with matches scheduled for 23, 25 and 28 October.
Harmanpreet remains part of both India squads despite relinquishing the captaincy, while Mandhana will take charge of a side featuring several established internationals.
India T20I squad:
Smriti Mandhana (c), Shafali Verma, Niki Prasad, Harmanpreet Kaur, Anushka Sharma, Richa Ghosh, G Kamalini, Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Sree Charani, Nandni Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Jintimani Kalita, Minnu Mani.
India ODI squad:
Smriti Mandhana (c), Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur, Harleen Deol, Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Yastika Bhatia, Vaishnavi Sharma, Nandni Sharma, Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, Renuka Thakur.
Series schedule:
T20Is
- 1st T20I — 16 October, Raipur
- 2nd T20I — 18 October, Raipur
- 3rd T20I — 20 October, Raipur
ODIs
- 1st ODI — 23 October, Vadodara
- 2nd ODI — 25 October, Vadodara
- 3rd ODI — 28 October, Vadodara
