Jemimah Rodrigues is set to make her much-awaited return to international cricket after being named in India’s squads for the upcoming all-format tour of South Africa. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the India women’s squad for South Africa tour 2026 on November 9, bringing an end to months of uncertainty surrounding Jemimah’s availability following a serious hamstring injury.
The 25-year-old batter has been selected across all three formats, including the one-off Test, three-match ODI series and three-match T20I series. Seam-bowling all-rounder Amanjot Kaur has also returned to the T20I squad after recovering from a back injury.
Another major development is Smriti Mandhana’s appointment as India’s captain across all three formats. She will lead the team during the December assignment, with Deepti Sharma serving as vice-captain in Tests and ODIs and Shafali Verma taking the responsibility in T20Is.
The India women’s cricket team December 2026 tour will begin on December 9 and conclude on December 30, providing an important opportunity for the players to build momentum ahead of their upcoming international challenges.
Jemimah Rodrigues injury comeback: How she impressed after returning
The Jemimah Rodrigues injury comeback is one of the biggest talking points from India’s squad announcement.
Jemimah suffered a high-grade tear in her right hamstring while representing Southern Brave in The Hundred on August 3. The injury proved to be a major setback, forcing her to miss several important assignments for the Indian team.
She was unavailable for India’s Women’s T20 Asia Cup campaign, the Asian Games, where the team successfully retained its gold medal, and the subsequent home white-ball series against Zimbabwe.
After spending nearly three months recovering and completing her rehabilitation, Jemimah finally returned to competitive cricket through the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy.
She made her comeback for Mumbai against Uttar Pradesh on November 2, scoring an unbeaten 29. The batter then produced a 58-run knock against Delhi before delivering her best performance against Puducherry.
Jemimah Rodrigues 107 against Puducherry became a major highlight of her domestic comeback. She smashed an unbeaten century off just 47 deliveries, demonstrating her ability to score quickly and dominate opposition bowling.
The innings also helped Mumbai secure qualification for the knockout stage of the tournament.
Her impressive performances provided encouraging signs ahead of the South Africa tour. More importantly, the return of an experienced middle-order batter strengthens India’s batting options in all three formats.
Amanjot Kaur returns to T20I squad after injury
Amanjot Kaur’s comeback is another important development in the selection announcement.
The all-rounder had been out of action since India’s T20I series in South Africa earlier this year because of a back injury. Her absence reduced India’s options in the seam-bowling all-rounder department.
However, Amanjot gradually returned to competitive cricket, representing Punjab in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy after recovering from the injury.
Her selection provides India with another useful option who can contribute with both bat and ball.
With Jemimah Rodrigues and Amanjot Kaur returning, Minnu Mani and Jintimani Kalita make way in the T20I squad. However, Kalita remains part of India’s Test and ODI combinations.
India have also included several young players in the shortest-format squad, including Niki Prasad, G. Kamalini and Anushka Sharma.
The selectors appear keen to maintain a balance between experienced international players and emerging domestic performers.
Smriti Mandhana becomes India’s Test captain
The Smriti Mandhana Test captain 2026 appointment is another significant talking point from the announcement.
Mandhana will lead India across all three formats during the South Africa tour, marking an important step in her leadership journey. She will be supported by Deepti Sharma in the Test and ODI formats, while Shafali Verma has been named T20I vice-captain.
The experienced opening batter will have the responsibility of guiding India’s performances in challenging South African conditions.
Harmanpreet Kaur, who remains an important member of the squad, will bring her international experience to all three formats. Meanwhile, players such as Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal and Richa Ghosh will form an important part of India’s batting group.
The Test squad also features experienced all-rounders Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana, along with promising bowling options.
Mandhana’s leadership will be closely watched, particularly in the longer format, where India will have an opportunity to test their combination against a competitive South African side.
India women vs South Africa full schedule 2026
The India women vs South Africa full schedule features seven matches across four different venues.
The tour will start with a one-off Test at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on December 9. The teams will then compete in three ODIs before finishing the assignment with a three-match T20I series.
India Women’s tour of South Africa 2026 schedule:
- December 9-12: One-off Test – Gqeberha
- December 16: 1st ODI – Paarl
- December 19: 2nd ODI – Cape Town
- December 22: 3rd ODI – Bloemfontein
- December 26: 1st T20I – Benoni
- December 29: 2nd T20I – Potchefstroom
- December 30: 3rd T20I – Potchefstroom
The ODI series will be particularly important as the matches will contribute to the ICC Women’s Championship 2025-29 standings, which determine qualification for the 2029 Women’s Cricket World Cup.
The T20I series will also give both teams an opportunity to assess their combinations and prepare for future international tournaments.
India women’s Test, ODI and T20I squads for South Africa tour 2026
India’s Test squad: Smriti Mandhana (C), Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Richa Ghosh (WK), Yastika Bhatia (WK), Deepti Sharma (VC), Sree Charani, Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaud, Nandni Sharma, Jintimani Kalita and Sayali Satghare.
India’s ODI squad: Smriti Mandhana (C), Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Richa Ghosh (WK), Yastika Bhatia (WK), Deepti Sharma (VC), Sree Charani, Vaishnavi Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Nandni Sharma, Jintimani Kalita and Sayali Satghare.
India’s T20I squad: Smriti Mandhana (C), Shafali Verma (VC), Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur, Niki Prasad, Richa Ghosh (WK), G. Kamalini (WK), Anushka Sharma, Deepti Sharma, Sree Charani, Prema Rawat, Amanjot Kaur, Kranti Gaud, Nandni Sharma, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy and Sayali Satghare.
Jemimah Rodrigues’ return gives India a timely boost ahead of a challenging overseas assignment, while Amanjot Kaur’s availability adds depth to the T20I combination. With Smriti Mandhana taking charge across formats, the South Africa tour will be an important test of India’s strength and consistency.
Can Jemimah turn her impressive domestic comeback into another successful international campaign? Cricket fans will be eager to see her back in Indian colours.
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