Smriti Mandhana to Lead Defending Champions Maharashtra in Women’s T20 Super League

Pune, November 9, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)

India captain Smriti Mandhana will return to state duty to lead defending champions Maharashtra in the Super League stage of the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy, with Tejal Hasabnis appointed vice-captain of the 16-member squad announced by the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) on Monday.

Mandhana missed the league stage of the tournament while leading India to white-ball series victories against Zimbabwe at home last month. After taking a short break following the international assignment, she will now aim to guide Maharashtra to a successful title defence.

The squad also features experienced players Devika Vaidya, Anuja Patil, Mukta Magre and Gautami Naik. Shivali Shinde and Damini Bankar have been named as the specialist wicketkeepers.

The eight teams qualifying for the Super League have been divided into two groups. Maharashtra are placed in Group B alongside Andhra, Railways and Mumbai, while Group A comprises Karnataka, Baroda, Vidarbha and Delhi.

All Super League matches will be played in Ahmedabad, with the Gujarat College Cricket Ground ‘A’ and Narendra Modi Stadium Ground ‘B’ serving as venues.

Maharashtra will open their campaign against Andhra at 9 a.m. on November 14 at Gujarat College Cricket Ground ‘A’. They will face Railways at 11 a.m. on November 16 at Narendra Modi Stadium Ground ‘B’, before taking on Mumbai at 1.30 p.m. on November 18.

Mumbai, who are expected to be led by India batter Jemimah Rodrigues, will begin against Railways on November 14 and meet Andhra on November 16 ahead of their clash with Maharashtra.

With each team playing only three matches, qualification will be fiercely contested. Only the group toppers will advance to the final, scheduled for November 20 at Narendra Modi Stadium Ground ‘B’.

Maharashtra squad: Smriti Mandhana (captain), Tejal Hasabnis (vice-captain), Devika Vaidya, Mukta Magre, Anuja Patil, Shweta Mane, Shraddha Pokharkar, Dnyaneshwari Patil, Isha Pathare, Ishita Khale, Gautami Naik, Shivali Shinde (wicketkeeper), Bhakti Mirajkar, Isha Ghule, Damini Bankar (wicketkeeper) and Priyanka Ghodke.