Chandigarh All-Rounder Kashvee Gautam Earns Maiden T20I Call-Up for South Africa Series
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Thursday that Chandigarh all-rounder Kashvee Gautam, aged 22, has been named in the Indian women's T20 squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa. This selection marks a significant milestone in the young cricketer's rapidly progressing career, as she prepares to make her debut in the shortest format at the international level.
Historic Career Trajectory and Recent Achievements
Kashvee Gautam first made headlines by carving a unique place in Indian women's cricket history, becoming the first Indian woman to claim all 10 wickets in a single innings during a Women's Under-19 state match against Andhra Pradesh. Her rise continued in 2023 when she was part of the India A squad that won the Emerging Asia Cup in Hong Kong. She later represented India A against England A, further strengthening her case for national selection.
In the Women's Premier League, Kashvee grabbed attention after becoming the most expensive player of the 2023 auction, picked by the Gujarat Giants. Last month, she was selected for India's ODI series against Australia, where she delivered impactful all-round performances. She went on to script history by becoming the first woman cricketer from Chandigarh to play a Test match for India during the 2025–26 women's tour of Australia. In the first innings, she finished as the third-highest scorer with an unbeaten 34.
Tour Details and Player's Perspective
India will play a five-match T20 International series against South Africa from April 17 to 27 across Durban, Johannesburg and Benoni. Reflecting on her ODI stint in Australia, Kashvee said her focus was on making an impact in every department. "I wanted to contribute in any way possible—batting, bowling or fielding. Being a team player was my goal," she said.
Speaking about her Test debut, she added, "The Test call came as a surprise. Getting the Test cap and making my debut was huge. Perth is a paradise for fast bowlers, and I learnt a lot from the conditions and the opposition." Now set to debut in the T20 format, Kashvee said, "Only this format was left. I'm happy to get this opportunity and my approach will remain the same—to play positively and make an impact."
Performance Highlights and Recognition
During the ODI series against Australia, Kashvee demonstrated her all-round capabilities with the following performances:
- Scored 43 runs in the first match
- Followed it up with figures of two wickets and 25 runs in the second match
- Picked up one wicket in the third match
UT Cricket Association president Saraansh Tandon hailed her selection as a proud moment for Chandigarh, saying Kashvee's consistency, discipline and hard work had deservedly earned her the national call-up. This T20 selection completes her representation across all three formats for the Indian women's cricket team, showcasing her versatility and growing importance in the national setup.
