Anushka Sharma Named Captain of India-A Women's T20 Side for England Tour

Gwalior's rising cricket star to lead India-A in three T20 matches against England-A; has previously led Madhya Pradesh to senior ODI Trophy glory

A Big Leap for Gwalior's Own
Anushka Sharma, the all-rounder from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, has been handed one of the most significant assignments of her young career. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has named her captain of the India-A women's T20 side for the upcoming England tour, where she will lead the team in a three-match series against England-A.
The announcement, made recently, has been widely seen as a reward for consistent domestic performances and her growing reputation as a match-winner in multiple formats.

Series Schedule and Venues
The three T20 matches are scheduled across two English venues. The first two games will be held in Northampton on June 20 and June 23, while the third and final match moves to Chelmsford on June 25.
A separate ODI series, running from June 28 to July 4 at Hove and Taunton, will be led by Harleen Deol, with Pratika Rawal named as her deputy. Vrinda Dinesh has been appointed vice-captain for the T20 leg under Anushka.

"Will Give My Best," Says Anushka
Speaking about the opportunity, Anushka Sharma kept it simple and grounded. "Playing for the country is every cricketer's dream. Leading the team as captain is a matter of great pride for me. I will try my best to give everything for my team," she said.

Senior Debut Already Under Her Belt
Anushka made her senior India debut during the South Africa tour, where she featured in three matches and showed enough to convince selectors of her readiness for bigger responsibilities. Her ability to contribute with both bat and ball has made her a versatile asset in Indian women's cricket.
Earlier in the Women's Premier League 2026, she turned heads playing for Gujarat Giants — scoring 44 runs off just 30 balls in a high-pressure outing, underlining the aggressive batting that has become her signature.

Decorated Domestic Record
Before the India-A captaincy came calling, Anushka had already built an impressive resume at the domestic level. She has served as vice-captain of the Madhya Pradesh senior women's team and previously captained the India B side in the Under-19 Challenger Trophy. Under her leadership, Madhya Pradesh's U-19 team finished national runners-up.
Her most celebrated achievement remains the 2024-25 Senior Women's ODI Trophy, where she played a key role in MP's title-winning campaign. She walked away from the tournament with the Player of the Tournament award along with several other individual honours that season.
The Chandra Nayudu Award, given to recognise outstanding domestic women cricketers, is also among her recognitions.

Bundlekhand Bulls Back Her Too
Closer to home, Anushka was retained as captain of Bundlekhand Bulls for the second season of the Madhya Pradesh Women's League, to be held in Indore. In the first edition, she was vice-captain and played a crucial part in the team's title win. Her elevation to full captaincy for the second season reflects the confidence the franchise places in her leadership abilities.

What Comes Next
With the T20 World Cup 2026 scheduled in England from June 12 — India opening their campaign against Pakistan on June 14 — the India-A tour serves as important preparation ground. Players performing well in these matches could catch the selectors' eye for future senior assignments.
For Anushka Sharma, the England tour is not just another series. It is the clearest signal yet that Indian women's cricket sees a future leader in her.