Smriti Mandhana will captain defending champions Maharashtra in the Super League stage of the Senior Women's T20 Trophy, with Tejal Hasabnis named as her vice-captain in a 16-member squad announced by the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) on Monday, 9 November. The India skipper had been unavailable during the league stage while leading the national side in white-ball series wins over Zimbabwe.

Why Mandhana Missed the League Stage

Mandhana's absence from Maharashtra's earlier matches was a direct consequence of her international commitments — she led India to white-ball series victories over Zimbabwe at home last month. After a brief rest following the conclusion of that series, she returns to state duties with a clear mandate: help Maharashtra retain the title they clinched last season.

Squad Breakdown

Experienced campaigners anchor the Maharashtra lineup. Devika Vaidya, Anuja Patil, Mukta Magre, and Gautami Naik add depth and proven quality, while specialist wicketkeepers Shivali Shinde and Damini Bankar handle the gloves. The full 16-member squad is: 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 (wk), Bhakti Mirajkar, Isha Ghule, Damini Bankar (wk), and Priyanka Ghodke.

Group Stage Draw and Schedule

The eight Super League sides have been split into two groups of four. Maharashtra are placed in Group B alongside Andhra, Railways, and Mumbai, while Group A features Karnataka, Baroda, Vidarbha, and Delhi. All matches will be staged in Ahmedabad, across the Gujarat College Cricket Ground 'A' and Ground 'B' of the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Maharashtra open their campaign against Andhra on 14 November at 9 am at the Gujarat College Cricket Ground 'A'. They then face Railways at Narendra Modi Stadium Ground 'B' at 11 am on 16 November, before the most highly anticipated Group B fixture — a clash against Mumbai at Gujarat College Cricket Ground 'A' at 1.30 pm on 18 November.

The Mumbai Rivalry and High Stakes

Mumbai are expected to be captained by India batter Jemimah Rodrigues and open their campaign against Railways on 14 November, before facing Andhra on 16 November ahead of their showdown with Maharashtra. With each team playing just three group-stage matches, the margin for error is razor-thin. Only the two group toppers advance, meeting in the final scheduled for Narendra Modi Stadium Ground 'B' on 20 November. Notably, the Maharashtra versus Mumbai contest carries the dual weight of a historic state rivalry and a potential title-preview significance.