India Women survived a dramatic top-order collapse to defeat Zimbabwe Women by four wickets in the opening T20I at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur.
Chasing 115, India slumped to 19/4 inside four overs before Deepti Sharma’s 49 and debutant Niki Prasad’s unbeaten 39 rescued the innings. The hosts reached 116/6 with 26 balls remaining, giving Smriti Mandhana a winning start as India’s full-time captain.
Zimbabwe Strike Early as India Collapse to 19/4
India began their chase aggressively, collecting 14 runs from the opening over. However, Zimbabwe offspinner Nyasha Gwanzura quickly turned the contest in the visitors’ favour.
Gwanzura dismissed Mandhana, Anushka Sharma and vice-captain Shafali Verma in a devastating opening spell. Michelle Mavunga also removed former captain Harmanpreet Kaur, leaving India struggling at 19/4 after just 3.1 overs.
Gwanzura finished with impressive figures of 3/18, giving Zimbabwe a genuine opportunity to defend their modest total.
Deepti Sharma and Niki Prasad Lead India’s Recovery
With India under pressure, Deepti and Prasad combined to rebuild the innings through a crucial fifth-wicket partnership. Prasad, making her T20I debut after impressing for India A against Australia A, initially adopted a cautious approach. She rotated the strike while Deepti took responsibility for attacking Zimbabwe’s bowlers.
Deepti struck boundaries against Mavunga and Gwanzura before the pair collected 15 runs from Olinder Chare’s 10th over to shift momentum decisively towards India.
Prasad gradually became more confident, playing elegant drives through midwicket and extra cover as India moved closer to their target.
Deepti eventually fell one run short of her half-century after top-edging a sweep to short fine leg. Richa Ghosh was also dismissed after hitting a six, but Prasad remained unbeaten on 39 to complete the chase.
The innings marked an impressive international debut for the young batter, who had previously produced a similar rescue act during her Women’s Premier League debut for Delhi Capitals in 2025.
Kelis Ndhlovu and Sharne Mayers Keep Zimbabwe Competitive
Earlier, Zimbabwe posted 114/5 after being asked to bat in their first international meeting with India. Kranti Gaud provided an early breakthrough by dismissing Beloved Biza lbw in the opening over.
Kelis Ndhlovu then anchored Zimbabwe’s innings with 42, sharing a 53-run partnership with wicketkeeper Modester Mupachikwa.
Ndhlovu attacked loose deliveries and used the sweep effectively against India’s spinners. However, N Shree Charani broke the partnership by dismissing Mupachikwa caught and bowled.
Sharne Mayers provided late acceleration with an unbeaten 43, striking boundaries against Deepti, Shafali and Arundhati Reddy.
Ndhlovu briefly survived a disputed catch after the television umpire ruled that the ball had touched the ground. However, Reddy bowled her on the following delivery.
Mayers continued attacking in the closing overs, helping Zimbabwe pass 100 before Nandani Sharma claimed two wickets in consecutive deliveries in the final over.
Nandani finished with 2/11, while Charani returned 1/14 as India restricted Zimbabwe to 114/5.
India Begin Historic Zimbabwe Series With Victory
The result gave India a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series and marked a successful beginning to Mandhana’s tenure as permanent captain. Although India’s top-order collapse exposed vulnerabilities, Deepti’s experience and Prasad’s composure ensured the hosts avoided an unexpected defeat.
The series forms part of Zimbabwe’s maiden bilateral white-ball tour of India, featuring three T20Is followed by three ODIs.
For India, the victory provided a positive start to a new chapter, while Zimbabwe’s spirited bowling performance offered encouragement despite the defeat.
India Women vs Zimbabwe Women, 1st T20I: Scorecard
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| Zimbabwe Women | 114/5 (20 overs) |
| India Women | 116/6 (15.4 overs) |
Top performers
- Deepti Sharma: 49 runs
- Niki Prasad: 39 not out
- Kelis Ndhlovu: 42 runs
- Sharne Mayers: 43 not out
- Nyasha Gwanzura: 3/18
- Nandani Sharma: 2/11
- N Shree Charani: 1/14
Result: India Women won by four wickets with 26 balls remaining.
