India Women overcome top-order collapse to beat Zimbabwe by four wickets in Raipur T20I opener.
The victory gives India a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series, with the next fixture set for Sunday in Raipur.
The story
At the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur, India Women secured a four-wicket victory over Zimbabwe Women in the first T20I, despite a dramatic top-order collapse. Batting first, Zimbabwe posted 114/5 in their 20 overs, with Sharne Mayers leading the charge with an unbeaten 43 runs off 33 balls. Kelis Ndhlovu also contributed 36 from 28 deliveries. India's Nandani Sharma was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2/11.
India’s chase of 115 began in disarray, as they slumped to 19/4 inside the powerplay. Captain Smriti Mandhana (9), Shafali Verma (4), and Harmanpreet Kaur (1) were among the early wickets, primarily due to Nyasha Gwanzura's impressive spell of 3/18. However, a crucial 50-run partnership from 39 balls between Deepti Sharma (49 off 37) and debutant Niki Prasad (39* off 35) rescued the innings. Prasad struck the winning boundary, guiding India to 116/6 in 15.4 overs. Deepti Sharma was awarded Player of the Match for her pivotal role.
Latest results
| Match | Format | Result | Star |
|---|---|---|---|
| India Women vs Zimbabwe Women | T20I | India Women won by 4 wickets | Deepti Sharma (49 runs) |
Series in play
Zimbabwe Women tour of India (3 T20Is). India leads 1-0 after winning the first T20I in Raipur.
Tables that matter
| Competition | Position | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ICC Women's ODI Team Rankings | 1. Australia (163 pts), 2. England (126 pts), 3. India (124 pts) | Australia maintains a significant lead at the top. |
| ICC Women's T20I Team Rankings | 1. Australia (291 pts), 2. England (276 pts), 3. India (264 pts) | Australia holds the top spot across formats. |
What we'll be watching
- India Women vs Zimbabwe Women, 2nd T20I on October 18, 2026, at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur.
- Australia Women vs New Zealand Women, 1st T20I on October 18, 2026, at North Sydney Oval, Sydney.
- India Women vs Zimbabwe Women, 3rd T20I on October 20, 2026, at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur.
- India Women vs Zimbabwe Women, 1st ODI on October 23, 2026, at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara.
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