India Names Jemimah Rodrigues, Pooja Vastrakar in Squads for South Africa Series, Pending Fitness

India has revealed its Test and white-ball squads for the forthcoming home series against South Africa, with Jemimah Rodrigues and Pooja Vastrakar earning selections, subject to their fitness.

Rodrigues, who missed the recent T20I series in Bangladesh due to a back injury, underwent rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. Vastrakar, on the other hand, participated in all matches in Bangladesh, although the nature of her injury remains undisclosed.

Additionally, uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Uma Chetry joins all three squads, stepping in for the injured Yastika Bhatia. Chetry, a part of India’s Asian Games gold-winning squad in 2023, replaces Bhatia after her lone appearance in the Bangladesh T20Is.

Top-order batter Priya Punia returns to the Test squad, having last played for India in July 2023. Medium-pacer Arundhati Reddy, following impressive performances in domestic competitions, earns spots in both the Test and ODI teams. However, fast bowler Titas Sadhu misses out on selection.

Reddy’s noteworthy displays in the Women’s IPL and the Senior Women Inter Zonal Multi-Day Trophy bolster her case for selection. Leg-spinner S Asha, making her ODI debut, and all-rounder D Hemalatha, returning to ODI action after nearly two years, are also notable inclusions.

Meanwhile, Harleen Deol and Mannat Kashyap are notable omissions from the squads. The series against South Africa comprises three ODIs, a one-off Test, and three T20Is, with Bengaluru and Chennai hosting the matches.