Sports Desk, November 10: Assam cricketer Jintimani Kalita has earned her maiden call-up to the Indian women’s Test team, marking a significant milestone in her cricketing career. She has been selected in both the Test and One-Day International (ODI) squads for India’s upcoming multi-format tour of South Africa in December 2026.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squads on November 9. While Kalita has secured a place in the Test and ODI teams, she has not been included in the T20 International squad.
Her selection is a proud moment for Assam cricket, as the young cricketer gets an opportunity to represent India in the longest format of the game.
Jintimani Kalita Named in Both Test and ODI Squads
The 15-member Indian women’s Test squad will be led by Smriti Mandhana, with Deepti Sharma named vice-captain.
The squad includes Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Richa Ghosh, Yastika Bhatia, Deepti Sharma, Sree Charani, Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaud, Nandni Sharma, Jintimani Kalita and Sayali Satghare.
Kalita has also been named in the 15-member ODI squad. The ODI team is largely similar to the Test squad, with Vaishnavi Sharma replacing Sneh Rana.
Jemimah Rodrigues Returns After Injury
Another notable development in the squad announcement is the return of Jemimah Rodrigues.
She is back in the Indian team after recovering from a hamstring injury that had kept her away from cricket for around four months.
Smriti Mandhana will captain India across all three formats. Deepti Sharma will serve as vice-captain in the Test and ODI teams, while Shafali Verma has been appointed vice-captain of the T20I squad.
The 17-member T20I squad features several players from the Test and ODI teams, along with Niki Prasad, G Kamalini, Anushka Sharma, Prema Rawat and Amanjot Kaur.
India Women’s Tour of South Africa: Full Schedule
India’s tour of South Africa will begin with a one-off Test match in Gqeberha on December 9, 2026.
The Test will be followed by a three-match ODI series and a three-match T20I series.
One-off Test
- December 9: India vs South Africa, Gqeberha
ODI Series
- December 16: First ODI, Paarl
- December 19: Second ODI, Cape Town
- December 22: Third ODI, Bloemfontein
T20I Series
- December 26: First T20I, Benoni
- December 29: Second T20I, Potchefstroom
- December 30: Third T20I, Potchefstroom
A Significant Milestone for Assam Cricket
Jintimani Kalita’s maiden selection in India’s women’s Test squad marks an important moment for cricket in Assam.
Her inclusion in two formats of the national team provides an opportunity to represent the country on an international tour and take another step forward in her cricketing career.
Cricket followers in Assam will now be keenly watching her journey as India prepares for the South Africa series in December.
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