Smriti Mandhana takes charge as Test captain as India announce SA tour squads

Smriti Mandhana will lead India in Tests for the first time during the South Africa tour in December. Jemimah Rodrigues returns from injury, while Jintimani Kalita earns her maiden Test call-up for the all-format series.Mandhana will be taking charge as India's full-time Test captain (Courtesy: Reuters)The Smriti Mandhana captaincy era is in full swing in Indian women's cricket as BCCI revealed the squads for the upcoming all format tour of South Africa in December. The tour will see Mandhana take charge as the India Test captain for the first time since taking over the reins from Harmanpreet Kaur.The tour will also see Jemimah Rodrigues return to Indian colours after missing the Asia Cup, Asian Games and the Zimbabwe series with injury. Deepti Sharma will be acting as Mandhana's deputy in the Test and ODI formats, while Shafali Verma will assume the duty in the T20I series.There was also a first call-up to the Test squad for Jintimani Kalita.Mandhana started her captaincy tenure by thrashing Zimbabwe in the T20I and ODI series back home and will be aiming to continue the momentum heading into the women's Champions Trophy in January. India will play one Test, three ODIs and three T20Is during the tour, which will take place from December 9 to December 30.INDIA SQUADS FOR SOUTH AFRICA TOURTest Squad: Smriti Mandhana [C], Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Richa Ghosh [WK], Yastika Bhatia [WK], Deepti Sharma [VC], Sree Charani, Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaud, Nandni Sharma, Jintimani Kalita, Sayali Satghare ODI Squad: Smriti Mandhana [C], Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Richa Ghosh [WK], Yastika Bhatia [WK], Deepti Sharma [VC], Sree Charani, Vaishnavi Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Nandni Sharma, Jintimani Kalita, Sayali SatghareT20I Squad: Smriti Mandhana [C], Shafali Verma [VC], Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur, Niki Prasad, Richa Ghosh [WK], G. Kamalini [WK], Anushka Sharma, Deepti Sharma, Sree Charani, Prema Rawat, Amanjot Kaur, Kranti Gaud, Nandni Sharma, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Sayali SatghareINDIA TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA: SCHEDULEDecember 9, Wednesday: Test, GqeberhaDecember 16, Wednesday: 1st ODI, PaarlDecember 19, Saturday: 2nd ODI, Cape TownDecember 22, Tuesday: 3rd ODI, BloemfonteinDecember 26, Saturday: 1st T20I, BenoniDecember 29, Tuesday: 2nd T20I, PotchefstroomDecember 30, Wednesday: 3rd T20I, Potchefstroom- Ends