India Women defeated Zimbabwe Women by four wickets in the first T20I of the three match series at New Raipur. The venue hosted its first-ever women’s international match. After being asked to bowl first, India restricted Zimbabwe to 114/5 in 20 overs. Nandani Sharma (2/11 in 4 overs) and Shree Charani (1/14 in 4 overs) kept Zimbabwe’s scoring in check. Sharne Mayers top-scored for Zimbabwe with 43 runs off 33 balls, while Kellies Ndlovu contributed 42 runs off 44 balls. During the chase, India Women struggled and lost four wickets for just 19 runs in the first 19 balls. Zimbabwe off-spinner Nyasha Gwanzura (3/18 in 3 overs) troubled India’s top order. She dismissed captain Smriti Mandhana, vice-captain Shafali Verma and new No. 3 Anushka Sharma in an impressive opening spell. However, India Women recovered through debutant Niki Prasad and experienced all-rounder Deepti Sharma. The pair steadied the innings and guided the hosts towards victory. With this win, India Women took a 1-0 lead in the series.

Kranti Gaud Gives India an Early Breakthrough

Zimbabwe struggled early in their first-ever international match against India. Kranti Gaud trapped Beloved Biza leg before wicket in the opening over, giving India an early breakthrough. Opener Kelis Ndhlovu responded with an aggressive approach. She regularly found boundaries and capitalised on the width offered by Gaud. She also used sweep shots effectively against Shafali and Deepti. Ndhlovu built a useful partnership with wicketkeeper Modester Mupachikwa. The pair added 53 runs to help Zimbabwe recover from the early setback. India broke the partnership after the drinks break. N Shree Charani dismissed Mupachikwa with a caught-and-bowled effort.

Sharne Mayers Adds Momentum to Zimbabwe’s Innings

Sharne Mayers then joined Ndhlovu and looked to increase the scoring rate. While Ndhlovu struggled to time some deliveries, Mayers attacked the Indian bowlers. She lofted Deepti over mid-off before hitting Shafali over long-on for a six. Arundhati Reddy appeared to dismiss Ndhlovu when Niki Prasad ran in from long-off to take a catch. However, the TV umpire ruled that the ball had touched the ground. The decision brought Ndhlovu back after she had already walked off the field. Reddy dismissed her on the next delivery, bowling Ndhlovu with a dipping full toss. The opener scored 42 runs and played a key role in Zimbabwe’s innings.

Nandani Sharma Restricts Zimbabwe to 114 for 5

Mayers continued to attack in the 18th over. She hit Reddy for a six and two consecutive fours, taking Zimbabwe past the 100-run mark. Nandani Sharma delivered two wickets in two balls during the final over. Her late strikes restricted Zimbabwe to 114 for 5, leaving India with a target of 115.

India Make an Aggressive Start to the Chase

India started the chase aggressively, scoring 14 runs in the opening over bowled by Tendai Makusha. Mandhana attacked a short delivery towards midwicket but mistimed her next shot towards deep third. Sharne Mayers failed to collect the ball cleanly, allowing India to benefit from the misfield. Shafali ended the over with a well-timed drive through cover-point. India appeared ready to chase the modest target comfortably.

Nyasha Gwanzura Triggers India’s Top-Order Collapse

Zimbabwe introduced offspin against Mandhana and quickly gained control. Gwanzura bowled a short delivery on middle stump, but Mandhana failed to time her pull shot. She sent a top edge towards square leg, where Makusha completed the catch inside the ring. Gwanzura struck again when she bowled to Anushka Sharma. The young batter attempted to reach a flighted ball but sliced it towards backward point, giving Zimbabwe another wicket. Former India captain Harmanpreet Kaur also failed to settle. She hit a full delivery on leg stump straight to a fielder at midwicket off Michelle Mavunga, who uses a sling-like bowling action. Gwanzura then dismissed Shafali at the start of the fourth over, completing the catch herself. India had lost four wickets for just 19 runs, putting the home side under serious pressure.

Niki Prasad and Deepti Sharma Rebuild India’s Innings

Niki Prasad walked in at 19 for 3 after receiving her India cap from Mandhana. She initially struggled to score and played four consecutive dot balls. However, Prasad soon settled into her innings alongside Deepti Sharma. The young batter focused on rotating the strike while allowing the experienced all-rounder to attack the bowlers. Deepti began to put pressure on Zimbabwe’s bowling attack. She hit Mavunga over forward square leg after the bowler had started her spell with a wicket-maiden. Deepti then struck two boundaries against Gwanzura in the final over of the powerplay.

Prasad Impresses on Her T20I Debut

Prasad gradually displayed the batting skills that had earned her recognition. She carried forward her strong form from India A’s series against Australia A earlier in the month. She opened her boundary account in international cricket by driving Francisca Chipare through midwicket. Prasad followed that shot with a well-timed drive through extra cover. Her batting relied on good timing and sound technique rather than powerful hitting. She moved forward against a length delivery and waited before guiding the ball between mid-off and cover. The partnership began to shift the momentum towards India. Deepti and Prasad collected 15 runs from the 10th over, bowled by legspinner Olinder Chare. India regained control of the chase after the difficult start.

Deepti Sharma Attacks Before India Lose Two More Wickets

Deepti then attacked Mavunga, striking three boundaries in one over as she moved closer to a half-century. However, she failed to complete the milestone after top-edging a sweep towards short fine leg. India lost another wicket when Richa Ghosh departed shortly after hitting a six against offspinner Beloved Biza. Prasad remained at the crease and ensured that India completed the chase without further trouble. Her contribution helped India recover from the early collapse and secure a winning start to the home season.