Shikha Pandey returns as India announce squad for South Africa tri-series and T20 World Cup 2023

The All-India Women’s Selection Committee on Wednesday, December 28, announced India’s squad for the upcoming tri-series in South Africa starting in January and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 set to begin on February 10.

Seam bowling all-rounder Shikha Pandey has made her return to the squad and has been included in the side for both tournaments. All-rounder Pooja Vastrakar's participation in both tournaments is a subject to fitness. She was not a part of the team that was picked to play against Australia during the recently concluded five-match T20I series at home.

India were totally outplayed by the Aussies at home as they faced defeat by a margin of 4-1 in the five-match series played in Mumbai recently. India could only win the second T20I after it went into a super over.

Harmanpreet Kaur will be seen leading the team in both events and will have Smriti Mandhana as her deputy for assistance. In order to prepare themselves ahead of the global T20 event the Women in Blue will square off against hosts South Africa and the West Indies in the upcoming tri-nation series. 

The tri-series will start off with the fixture between the Proteas and India on January 19 at Buffalo Park in East London. India were the runners-up in the previous edition of the T20 World Cup back in 2020. They had lost to Australia in the summit clash and hence will hope to get their hands on the elusive silverware this time around.

India's squad for the tri-series:

Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (Vice Captain), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Devika Vaidya, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Radha Yadav, Renuka Thakur, Meghna Singh, Anjali Sarvani, Shushma Verma (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Pooja Vastrakar, Sabbhineni Meghana, Sneh Rana, Shikha Pandey

India's squad for the T20 World Cup 2023:

Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Smriti Mandhana (Vice-Captain), Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Richa Ghosh (wk) Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Devika Vaidya, Radha Yadav, Renuka Thakur, Anjali Sarvani, Pooja Vastrakar, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Shikha Pandey