Harmanpreet Leads India Women vs Sri Lanka T20 Series 2025

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India Women Squad Announced for Sri Lanka T20I Series

Fresh from their historic ODI World Cup triumph, the Indian women’s cricket team is set to return to action with Harmanpreet Kaur leading a 15-member squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, starting December 21. Smriti Mandhana will continue as vice-captain as India prepares for another challenging contest on home soil.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced the squad on Tuesday, keeping the core of the World Cup-winning team intact while introducing fresh talent. Vegas11 News has learned that the series will be played across two venues, with the first two matches at Visakhapatnam and the next three at Thiruvananthapuram.

Two Fresh Faces in the Squad

The selectors have made strategic changes to the roster, bringing in youth and energy. Seventeen-year-old wicketkeeper G Kamalini and left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma are the two members who did not feature in the World Cup. Kamalini has already proven her mettle with nine appearances for Mumbai Indians in the Women’s Premier League.

The changes come at the expense of Radha Yadav and Uma Chetry, who were part of the World Cup squad. The decision reflects India’s forward-thinking approach as they build toward the T20 World Cup in England next year.

India Women Squad vs Sri Lanka Women T20I 2025

Captain: Harmanpreet Kaur
Vice-Captain: Smriti Mandhana
Squad: Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Harleen Deol, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh Thakur, Richa Ghosh (WK), G Kamalini (WK), Sree Charani, Vaishnavi Sharma

Key Players to Watch

World Cup heroes will be central to India’s strategy. Deepti Sharma, the Player of the Tournament at the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, and Shafali Verma, who starred as Player of the Match in the final, bring match-winning credentials to the team.

Renuka Singh’s return after missing the previous T20I series against England due to injury adds depth to India’s bowling attack. Her ability to strike early will be crucial in the powerplay overs.

Recent Form and Head-to-Head

India comes into this series riding high on confidence. The last T20 encounter between the teams took place at the T20 World Cup 2024, where India won by 82 runs. However, Sri Lanka had earlier upset India in the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 final in July, winning by eight wickets, which adds an element of intrigue to this contest.

According to Vegas11 News analysis, India’s recent 3-2 T20I series victory against England demonstrates their ability to perform under pressure in the shortest format. The team will look to continue that momentum.

Match Schedule

First T20I: December 21, 2025 – ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
Second T20I: December 23, 2025 – ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
Third T20I: December 26, 2025 – Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram
Fourth T20I: December 28, 2025 – Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram
Fifth T20I: December 30, 2025 – Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram

Captain’s Mindset

Harmanpreet Kaur has been in exceptional form as leader. Her ability to stay composed under pressure was evident during the World Cup final, where she took the catch of Nadine de Klerk that sealed India’s historic victory. The 36-year-old’s experience of playing in five ODI World Cups and multiple T20 World Cups makes her the ideal person to guide this team.

A member of the Indian setup emphasized the team’s approach: the focus is on staying sharp and preparing for the T20 World Cup. The five-match series provides an ideal platform to test combinations without compromising stability.

Preparation for T20 World Cup 2026

This series serves as a crucial stepping stone toward the T20 World Cup in England next year. With India ranked third on the ICC Women’s T20I Team Rankings and Sri Lanka placed seventh, the hosts will be favorites. However, the team management is not taking anything for granted.

The selectors’ decision to introduce young talent like Kamalini and Vaishnavi shows a long-term vision. Both players will have opportunities to showcase their skills alongside experienced campaigners, creating a healthy competitive environment within the squad.

Sri Lanka’s Challenge

The Sri Lankan team arrives in India with the memory of their Asia Cup triumph still fresh. Their eight-wicket victory in July proved they can challenge the best on their day. The tourists will look to capitalize on any opportunity India presents, especially in unfamiliar conditions.

The series promises competitive cricket as both teams aim to fine-tune their preparations for future assignments. For India, maintaining winning momentum is paramount. For Sri Lanka, causing an upset on Indian soil would be a massive confidence booster.

Vegas11 News Sports Analysis

This five-match series represents more than just bilateral cricket. It’s about India consolidating their position as a global powerhouse in women’s cricket. The blend of experience and youth in the squad reflects modern cricket’s demands, where teams must constantly evolve.

Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership will be tested as she manages workload, form, and team dynamics across ten days of intense cricket. Her tactical acumen and ability to bring out the best in young players will be crucial.

With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, every match counts. India will want to dominate this series, build winning habits, and ensure that the new faces feel comfortable at the international level. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will arrive with nothing to lose and everything to gain.