Assam fast bowler Jintimani Kalita has been added to India’s women’s ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against Zimbabwe, replacing experienced pacer Renuka Singh Thakur, who has been ruled out of the series.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the change, explaining that Renuka is still working towards achieving the bowling workload required for the 50-over format at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
Kalita, who recently earned her maiden India call-up for the T20I series preceding the ODIs, will now have an opportunity to be part of the squad for the one-day fixtures. Although she did not feature in India’s 3-0 T20I series victory over Zimbabwe, she has travelled with the team to Baroda for the ODIs.
Renuka Singh Continues to Build Bowling Workload
Renuka’s exclusion comes as the Indian team prepares for the three-match ODI series. The 30-year-old last represented India in an ODI during the series against Australia in March.
She also featured in two matches at the Women’s T20 World Cup in June and was selected for India’s women’s Test against England at Lord’s in July, although she did not play in that fixture.
The BCCI’s statement indicates that Renuka is still building the bowling volume necessary to compete in the 50-over format. Her continued work at the Centre of Excellence is aimed at preparing her for the demands of ODI cricket.
Her absence means India will have to rely on their available pace-bowling options as they begin the series against Zimbabwe.
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Kalita Gets Another Opportunity After India Call-Up
Kalita’s inclusion marks another important step in her progress towards international cricket. The Assam seamer earned her maiden national call-up for the T20I series against Zimbabwe but did not get an opportunity to play in the three matches.
The young pacer has also gained experience through domestic and franchise cricket. She has taken one wicket in 13 Women’s Premier League (WPL) appearances across two seasons with Mumbai Indians.
Before joining the Indian squad, Kalita featured in the white-ball series against Australia A’s touring side in September. She had also travelled to England with the India A team earlier in the year.
These opportunities have helped her gain exposure to competitive cricket, and her selection for the ODI squad provides another chance to work with the national setup.
India’s Updated ODI Squad
Following Renuka’s withdrawal and Kalita’s inclusion, India’s updated squad for the Zimbabwe series is as follows:
- Smriti Mandhana (Captain)
- Shafali Verma
- Pratika Rawal
- Harmanpreet Kaur
- Harleen Deol
- Tejal Hasabnis
- Deepti Sharma (Vice-captain)
- Richa Ghosh (Wicketkeeper)
- Yastika Bhatia (Wicketkeeper)
- Vaishnavi Sharma
- Nandni Sharma
- Sree Charani
- Kranti Gaud
- Sayali Satghare
- Jintimani Kalita
ODI Series to Be Played in Baroda
All three ODIs between India and Zimbabwe will be played in Baroda from October 23 to October 28.
With the T20I series already secured 3-0, India will look to carry that momentum into the 50-over format. Kalita’s inclusion adds another pace-bowling option to the squad, while Renuka will continue her preparation to meet the physical demands of ODI cricket.
For Kalita, the series represents an opportunity to gain further experience within the senior national team environment and potentially make her mark in the one-day format.