Cricketer Yastika Bhatia from Vadodara has been named in the Indian women’s cricket team for its upcoming multi-format tour of South Africa in December. She has been included in both the Test and ODI squads announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
India will play a one-off Test, followed by three ODIs and three T20 Internationals against South Africa. Smriti Mandhana will captain the Indian side across all three formats.
Yastika, who plays as a wicketkeeper-batter, has been selected alongside Richa Ghosh in the Test and ODI squads. Ghosh is expected to be the first-choice wicketkeeper for the series.
The squads also see the return of Jemimah Rodrigues, who has recovered from a hamstring injury sustained while playing in The Hundred in August. The injury had kept her out of India’s campaigns in the Asia Cup and the Asian Games.
Deepti Sharma has been appointed vice-captain for the Test and ODI series, while Shafali Verma will take up the role for the T20I series.
The Test and ODI squads also include pacer Jintimani Kalita, who recently made her international debut against Zimbabwe. Experienced fast bowler Renuka Singh Thakur has been selected for the T20I squad, while G Kamalini has been included as a wicketkeeping option in the shortest format.
This will be India’s second tour of South Africa this year. The team had earlier visited the country in April ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, losing the five-match T20I series 1-4.
Yastika’s selection has brought cheer to Vadodara’s cricketing community, with local fans and sports enthusiasts congratulating her and wishing her success on the international tour.
India Women’s Squad for South Africa Tour
Test Squad: Smriti Mandhana (captain), Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Richa Ghosh, Yastika Bhatia, Deepti Sharma (vice-captain), Sree Charani, Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaud, Nandni Sharma, Jintimani Kalita and Sayali Satghare.
ODI Squad: Smriti Mandhana (captain), Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Richa Ghosh, Yastika Bhatia, Deepti Sharma (vice-captain), Sree Charani, Vaishnavi Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Nandni Sharma, Jintimani Kalita and Sayali Satghare.
T20I Squad: Smriti Mandhana (captain), Shafali Verma (vice-captain), Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur, Niki Prasad, Richa Ghosh, G Kamalini, Anushka Sharma, Deepti Sharma, Sree Charani, Prema Rawat, Amanjot Kaur, Kranti Gaud, Nandni Sharma, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy and Sayali Satghare.