Jintimani Kalita made her India debut in the first women’s ODI against Zimbabwe on Friday, October 23, 2026, in Vadodara. The 22-year-old fast bowler from Assam received her maiden international cap from India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, marking a major milestone in her cricketing career.
The Jintimani Kalita India debut came after she was named as Renuka Singh Thakur’s replacement in the Indian squad for the three-match ODI series. Renuka was ruled out as she continued building the bowling workload required for the 50-over format at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Kalita had previously travelled with India’s squad for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe but did not play in any of the matches. India completed a 3-0 series sweep before beginning the ODI leg in Vadodara.
Who Is Jintimani Kalita?
Jintimani Kalita is a right-arm medium-fast bowler who hails from Assam. She progressed through domestic cricket before gaining opportunities in franchise cricket and India A assignments.
Kalita made history in 2023 when she became the first woman cricketer from Assam to feature in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Mumbai Indians signed her for Rs 10 lakh at the inaugural WPL auction, providing her with an opportunity to train and compete alongside established international players.
She subsequently played 13 matches for Mumbai Indians across two seasons. Her involvement in the league helped her gain experience in a competitive environment and develop her skills against high-level opposition.
From Mumbai Indians to Gujarat Giants
In January 2026, Gujarat Giants signed Kalita for Rs 10 lakh as an injury replacement for Titas Sadhu, who was ruled out of the tournament. However, Kalita did not get an opportunity to play for the Giants during that season.
Her development has also included appearances for India A. She featured in the white-ball series against Australia A in September 2026 and had previously toured England with the India A team.
These assignments gave the Assam bowler exposure to overseas conditions and stronger opposition, helping her build experience before earning a senior national-team call-up.
What Her India Debut Means
Kalita’s selection for the Zimbabwe ODI series represents another step in her progression from domestic cricket to the international stage. Replacing an established bowler such as Renuka also gives her an opportunity to demonstrate her abilities in the 50-over format.
With her maiden cap now secured, Kalita will look to make the most of her opportunity and strengthen her prospects for future India assignments. Her performance in the Zimbabwe series could be an important part of her journey towards establishing herself in the national team.
Read more about Indian women’s cricket on the official BCCI website.
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