Key points
- India named a 15-player squad for the five-match T20I series, with Harmanpreet Kaur as captain and Smriti Mandhana as vice-captain.
- South Africa selected a 15-player squad led by Laura Wolvaardt for the home series from April 17 to 27, 2026.
- Tebogo Macheke received her maiden national call-up after Karabo Meso was ruled out with a wrist injury.
- Eliz-Mari Marx returned to the South African T20I squad, replacing seamer Masabata Klaas; Marizanne Kapp remained unavailable while recovering from illness.
- India's squad included Shreyanka Patil, Kashvee Gautam, Bharti Fulmali, Uma Chetry and Anushka Sharma alongside established players.
- The five matches were scheduled in Durban, Johannesburg and Benoni, with the series serving as South Africa's final official assignment before the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
- South Africa and India announced their squads for a five-match women's T20 International series scheduled from April 17 to 27, 2026. Harmanpreet Kaur was named captain of India, with Smriti Mandhana as vice-captain, while Laura Wolvaardt was set to lead the Proteas Women on home soil.
The series was arranged across Durban, Johannesburg and Benoni and formed an important part of South Africa's preparation for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in England. The squads featured established international players as well as several selection stories, including a maiden South African call-up for wicketkeeper-batter Tebogo Macheke.
India name 15-player squad under Harmanpreet Kaur
The BCCI Women's Selection Committee selected a 15-member Indian squad for the away series. Harmanpreet was appointed captain, with Mandhana as her deputy. The group included Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh, giving India a mix of batting, wicketkeeping, spin and pace options.
India's squad also featured Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud and Sree Charani in the bowling group. Shreyanka Patil and Kashvee Gautam were among the all-round and bowling options, while Bharti Fulmali, Uma Chetry and Anushka Sharma were also selected.
The full India squad was: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Sree Charani, Shreyanka Patil, Kashvee Gautam, Bharti Fulmali, Uma Chetry (wicketkeeper) and Anushka Sharma.
Wolvaardt leads South Africa; Macheke earns maiden call-up
Cricket South Africa named a 15-player squad under Wolvaardt. The selection panel made two changes to the group that had toured New Zealand. Tebogo Macheke earned her first national call-up after Karabo Meso was ruled out of the India series with a wrist injury. Eliz-Mari Marx was recalled, replacing seamer Masabata Klaas.
South Africa's squad included top-order batter Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, all-rounders Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sune Luus and Chloe Tryon, and bowlers Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba and Tumi Sekhukhune. Sinalo Jafta was also named as a wicketkeeping option. Macheke was the only uncapped player in the group.
Marizanne Kapp was unavailable as she continued her rehabilitation from illness. Anneke Bosch retained her place after coming into the side during the T20I series against New Zealand as a replacement for Dané van Niekerk, who had been affected by a calf injury.
The full South Africa squad was: Laura Wolvaardt (captain), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus, Tebogo Macheke, Eliz-Mari Marx, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Kayla Reyneke, Tumi Sekhukhune and Chloe Tryon.
Five-match series across three South African cities
The series was scheduled to begin at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium in Durban, which hosted the first two matches on April 17 and 19. The teams were then due to move to DP World Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg for the third and fourth T20Is on April 22 and 25.
The fifth and final match was scheduled for Willowmoore Park in Benoni on April 27. The closing fixture fell on South Africa's Freedom Day. The five-match itinerary offered both teams an extended contest in which to test combinations and assess players in international conditions.
- April 17: First T20I, Durban
- April 19: Second T20I, Durban
- April 22: Third T20I, Johannesburg
- April 25: Fourth T20I, Johannesburg
- April 27: Fifth T20I, Benoni
World Cup preparation adds context to the contest
For South Africa, the series was identified by Cricket South Africa as the team's final official assignment before the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, which was scheduled to begin in England on June 12, 2026. The home fixtures therefore provided a final opportunity to work through combinations against a high-level opponent before the global tournament.
CSA head coach Mandla Mashimbyi said the team was looking forward to playing India at home and continuing its development after the New Zealand tour. Convenor of selectors Clinton du Preez also described the period as an important phase of World Cup preparation, with the squad aiming to strengthen cohesion, test combinations and refine its approach.
The Indian squad offered its own selection mix, with experienced leaders alongside players looking to establish themselves in the T20I setup. With five matches spread across three venues, the series was set to provide a substantial examination for both sides ahead of the world tournament.
Two squads with different selection storylines
India's announcement centred on Harmanpreet's leadership and the inclusion of a broad group of established international performers and emerging options. South Africa's selection highlighted continuity, with two changes from the New Zealand tour and a first call-up for Macheke.
The squads and schedule established the framework for a significant bilateral contest in the build-up to the T20 World Cup. South Africa had home conditions and a final pre-tournament series to assess its options, while India had five matches to build rhythm against a side preparing for the same global challenge.
Frequently asked questions
Who captained India in the 2026 women’s T20I series against South Africa?
Harmanpreet Kaur captained India in the five-match T20I series against South Africa in April 2026. Smriti Mandhana was named vice-captain. India's 15-member squad also included Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma and wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh.
Who captained South Africa in the 2026 T20I series against India?
Laura Wolvaardt led South Africa in the five-match home T20I series against India. The 15-player squad included experienced players such as Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon and Ayabonga Khaka, alongside uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Tebogo Macheke.
When and where was the South Africa vs India women’s T20I series played?
The five-match series was scheduled from April 17 to 27, 2026. Durban hosted the first two matches, Johannesburg hosted the third and fourth, and the final T20I was scheduled for Benoni on April 27.
Who received a maiden call-up to South Africa’s squad?
Wicketkeeper-batter Tebogo Macheke received her maiden national call-up for the series. Cricket South Africa said she was included after Karabo Meso was ruled out because of a wrist injury. Macheke was the only uncapped player in the announced 15-member squad.
Why was Marizanne Kapp missing from South Africa’s squad?
Marizanne Kapp was unavailable for selection as she continued rehabilitation from illness. Cricket South Africa also announced that Eliz-Mari Marx had been recalled to the T20I squad, replacing seamer Masabata Klaas, while Anneke Bosch retained her place.