Jintimani Kalita replaces Renuka Singh Thakur in India's ODI squad for Zimbabwe series

The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced on October 22, 2026 that Renuka Singh Thakur has been ruled out of the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe. The Women's Selection Committee named Jintimani Kalita as her replacement in the squad.

The three ODIs are scheduled for October 23, October 25, and October 28, 2026, all in Vadodara. The series also marks the beginning of India's 2025-29 Women's Championship cycle.

A BCCI press release confirmed that Renuka is still building the bowling volume required for the 50-over format at the BCCI Centre of Excellence and is therefore unavailable for the series. Kalita was already part of the just-concluded T20I series in Raipur and had travelled with the team to Baroda, making the transition into the ODI squad straightforward.

When did Renuka Singh Thakur last play an ODI?

Renuka last featured in an ODI for India against Australia in Hobart in March 2026. That series in Australia ended in a 0-3 defeat for India, who lost all three matches. Since then, Renuka has been working on her fitness and bowling workload at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, and the selectors have determined she is not yet ready for the demands of 50-over cricket.

India won the ODI World Cup at home in November 2025, and Renuka was a key part of that campaign, which makes her continued absence a notable gap in the pace attack.

What does Jintimani Kalita bring to the ODI squad?

Jintimani Kalita's inclusion is a direct consequence of her presence in the T20I squad that played in Raipur, where she was already integrated into the team environment before travelling with the group to Baroda. Her familiarity with the current touring setup means there is no adjustment period required ahead of the first ODI on October 23.

Kalita has also been retained by Gujarat Giants for the 2027 Women's Premier League, reflecting the confidence franchise selectors have placed in her. Her call-up gives the Indian pace attack an available option as Renuka continues her recovery programme.

Updated India Women full squad for ODI series vs Zimbabwe

Smriti Mandhana (C), Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur, Harleen Deol, Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma (VC), Richa Ghosh (WK), Yastika Bhatia (WK), Vaishnavi Sharma, Nandni Sharma, Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, Jintimani Kalita.