- Dee Sharma and Niki Prasad seal a nervy 115-run win for India. Debutant Niki Prasad was paired with Dee Sharma for 82 which helped India recover from 19 for 4 in the build-up. The three that matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah are all smiling after dismissing Pat Cummins. The three that matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins, India v Australia, World Cup, Chennai, October 8, 2023 After Zimbabwe were restricted to 114 for 5, well below par for the conditions at the Shaheed International Stadium Veer Narayan Singh welcomed his first women’s international, India had a tally of 19 in the first 19 balls of the chase 19 to 4.
- Offspinner Nyasha Gwanzura represented the new Indian ctain, vice-chief Shafali Verma and the new No. 1.
- 3 Anushka Sharma in an opening spell for the ages.
Dee Sharma and Niki Prasad seal a nervy 115-run win for India. Debutant Niki Prasad was paired with Dee Sharma for 82 which helped India recover from 19 for 4 in the build-up. The three that matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah are all smiling after dismissing Pat Cummins. The three that matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins, India v Australia, World Cup, Chennai, October 8, 2023 After Zimbabwe were restricted to 114 for 5, well below par for the conditions at the Shaheed International Stadium Veer Narayan Singh welcomed his first women’s international, India had a tally of 19 in the first 19 balls of the chase 19 to 4.
Offspinner Nyasha Gwanzura represented the new Indian ctain, vice-chief Shafali Verma and the new No. 1. 3 Anushka Sharma in an opening spell for the ages. But Niki Prasad made his T20I debut and Dee Sharma ensured India’s home season started on the right note.
Interestingly, Prasad had pulled off a similar feat on her WPL debut in 2025 with the struggling Delhi Citals, when she went in and out with the Player of the Match award. Nyasha Gwanzura picked up three wickets in her first two overs, India vs Zimbabwe, 1st Women’s T20I, Raipur, October 16, 2026. India claimed 14 runs from the opening bowled by Tendai Makusha to take their 115-run chase into high gear. Mandhana bowled a short ball over mid-wicket before reaching deep third where Sharne Mayers missed the pitch.
When Shafali ended the game with a crisp run through cover point, it looked like India would easily make light of this tenuous claim. Zimbabwe produced an off-spin against Mandhana, as most teams do in T20Is these days, and were quickly rewarded even if it wasn’t a wicket ball. Gwanzura bowled her first ball into the middle and Mandhana could be hit wherever she wanted.
But she only managed to jump, swinging back to throw him over her square leg, and Makusha brought him safely into the ring. One ball after Anusha hit a shorter ball through point, Gwanzura asked her to reach for a fly ball and cut it backwards. Former India ctain Harmanpreet Kaur then flicked a full-length ball straight to mid-wicket to Michelle Mavunga, who was bowling with a slinging action.
When Gwanzura asked Shafali to win over his own bowling at the start of the fourth over, it looked as if the wheels of India’s chase might actually be unsteady. Prasad began her stint as an Indian batter with four dot balls, coming into the game at 19 for 3 after receiving her C from Mandhana. She soon began to find her way with Dee.
Prasad was keen to wait for the right time and lead the strike, letting her senior partner take the lead. Dee lifted Mavunga, who started with a wicket maiden, over front square leg before hitting two fours to Gwanzura, who bowled the final over of the powerplay. Prasad then showed why she is highly rated as a batswoman, continuing her form from the India A series against Australia A earlier this month.
In her first four internationals she beat Francisca Chipare at midwicket before scoring a strike through extra cover. This second plan contained no extravagance. It was just a simple shift of weight forward against the long ball, waiting a little longer before pushing it between center and ceiling.
When Dee and Prasad combined for 15 against leg-spinner Olinder Chare in the 10th over, India were back in control. Dee then took a liking to Mavunga and hit her three fours in a row as she went for a fifty. But she only succeeded in a spirited attempt to shorten her beautiful leg.
India also lost Richa Ghosh soon after when she lost two balls after hitting a six against Beloved Biza. But Prasad made sure she stayed till the end to see India through. After being asked to bat against India in their first ever international match, Zimbabwe were shocked when Kranti Gaud dismissed Biza lbw in the first game.
Opener Kelis Ndhlovu then kept them going by finding boundaries regularly. She rarely missed the width that Gaud offered while also using the momentum against Shafali and Dee. She added 53 along with wicketkeeper Modester Mupachikwa.
But after the drinks break, N Shree Charani caught Mupachikwa and bowled. Sharne Mayers then came on with intent, although Ndhlovu at the other end missed a few missed shots and misplaced the ball. Mayers threw Dee up the middle before hitting Shafali long-on for a half-dozen.
Then it seemed like Arundhati Reddy had caught up with Prasad’s Ndhlovu, who was coming from a long way. But the TV referee ruled that the ball had touched the ground and called back Ndhlovu, who had already left. However, one ball later, Reddy bowled him for 42.
Mayers met Reddy in the 18th over and hit her for a six and two consecutive fours that took Zimbabwe past the 100 mark. Nandani Sharma then took two wickets in two balls in the final over to restrict Zimbabwe to a total that was not enough to put them in contention even if they tried to make a fist of it. Debutant Niki Prasad was part of an 82-run partnership with Dee Sharma that helped India recover from 19 for 4 in the chase. Dee Sharma started recovery work for India, India vs Zimbabwe, 1st Women’s T20I, Raipur, October 16, 2026. Flattened stump!
But the square-leg umpire asks the batsman to wait. Reddy sent a slower ball that ended in a high, full throw, but it fell sharply at the last moment before crashing into the stumps. Replays confirm that the ball was below the waist when it reached the batsman, so the dismissal is valid!
Reddy gets his wicket back, Niki can breathe a sigh of relief and Ndhlovu can finally make his way to the Plumb dressing room! Anna Harris immediately raises her finger. Ball-length, slightly fuller on the outside and in the middle.
Once again, Biza angles his racket to play it. Is struck inside and hit on the back leg, which is directly in front of Kranti. Gaud hits the new ball to get sent off. Beloved Biza, India vs Zimbabwe, 1st Women’s T20I, Raipur, October 16, 2026. World No. 1 goal straight after the break!
A simple return catch for Shree Charani. Place the ball in the middle and the batsman steps back. He tries to drive but the ball hits the top half of the bat and heads towards the bowler, giving him a regulation delivery.
A few more jumps also made the difference. N Shree Charani bowled an economical throw and took a wicket back, India vs Zimbabwe, 1st Women’s T20I, Raipur, October 16, 2026. Modester Mupachikwa had a slow start to the innings, India vs Zimbabwe, 1st Women’s T20I, Raipur, October 16, 2026. At a loss! Gwanzura comes down the track and Nandi throws it to him. Richa does the rest and Nandni gets a reward in the form of a wicket.
She was very economical with the length of the ball in the middle tonight and Mavunga looks to hit to the leg side but she misses the shot due to the length of the ball and the bounce created. Richa catches the stumps quickly and breaks them as Mavunga was outside the crease. Mavunga turns to put the bat back but Richa comes faster.
The TV referee simply wants to confirm whether the goalkeeper has cleanly gripped (or palmed) the ball in accordance with the new kickout and stump rules. Michelle Mavunga confused by Richa Ghosh, India vs Zimbabwe, 1st Women’s T20I, Raipur, October 16, 2026 Kranti Gaud struck with the new ball to dismiss Beloved Biza, India vs Zimbabwe, 1st Women’s T20I, Raipur, October 16, 2026. Stay ahead! Anna Harris immediately raises her finger.
Ball-length, slightly fuller on the outside and in the middle. Once again, Biza angles his racket to play it. Is struck inside and hit on the back leg, which is directly in front of her. Michelle Mavunga is perplexed by Richa Ghosh, India vs Zimbabwe, 1st Women’s T20I, Raipur, October 16, 2026. Perplexed!
Gwanzura comes down the track and Nandi throws it to him. Richa does the rest and Nandni gets a reward in the form of a wicket. She was very economical with the length of the ball in the middle tonight and Mavunga looks to hit to the leg side but she misses the shot due to the length of the ball and the bounce created.
Richa catches the stumps quickly and breaks them as Mavunga was outside the crease. Mavunga turns to put the bat back but Richa comes faster. The TV referee simply wants to confirm whether the goalkeeper has cleanly gripped (or palmed) the ball in accordance with the new kickout and stump rules.
Modester Mupachikwa had a slow start to her innings, India vs Zimbabwe, 1st Women’s T20I, Raipur, October 16, 2026. Flattened stump excluded! But the square-leg umpire asks the batsman to wait. Reddy sent a slower ball that ended in a high, full throw, but it fell sharply at the last moment before crashing into the stumps.
Replays confirm that the ball was below the waist when it reached the batsman, so the dismissal is valid! Reddy gets his wicket, Niki can breathe a sigh of relief and Ndhlovu can finally go to the dressing room. N Shree Charani bowled an economical throw and took a wicket, India vs Zimbabwe, 1st Women’s T20I, Raipur, October 16, 2026. World No. 1 goal straight after the break!
A simple return catch for Shree Charani. Place the ball in the middle and the batsman steps back. He tries to drive but the ball hits the top half of the bat and heads towards the bowler, giving him a regulation delivery.
A little more suspension made all the difference. Plumb in front! Anna Harris immediately raises her finger. Ball-length, slightly fuller on the outside and in the middle.
Once again, Biza angles his racket to play it. Is struck inside and hit on the back leg, which is directly in front of Kranti. Gaud hits the new ball to get sent off. Beloved Biza, India vs Zimbabwe, 1st Women’s T20I, Raipur, October 16, 2026. World No. 1 goal straight after the break!
A simple return catch for Shree Charani. Place the ball in the middle and the batsman steps back. He tries to drive but the ball hits the top half of the bat and heads towards the bowler, giving him a regulation delivery.
A few more jumps that made the difference. N Shree Charani bowled an economical throw and took a wicket back, India vs Zimbabwe, 1st Women’s T20I, Raipur, October 16, 2026. Modester Mupachikwa had a slow start to the innings, India vs Zimbabwe, 1st Women’s T20I, Raipur, October 16, 2026. Flattened stump excluded! But the square-leg umpire asks the batsman to wait. Reddy sent a slower ball that ended in a high, full throw, but it fell sharply at the last moment before crashing into the stumps.
Replays confirm that the ball was below the waist when it reached the batsman, so the dismissal is valid! Reddy gets his wicket back, Niki can breathe a sigh of relief and Ndhlovu can finally go to the dressing room at a loss! Gwanzura comes down the track and Nandi throws it to him.
Richa does the rest and Nandni gets a reward in the form of a wicket. She was very economical with the length of the ball in the middle tonight and Mavunga looks to hit to the leg side but she misses the shot due to the length of the ball and the bounce created. Richa catches the stumps quickly and breaks them as Mavunga was outside the crease.
Mavunga turns to put the bat back but Richa comes faster. The TV referee simply wants to confirm whether the goalkeeper has cleanly gripped (or palmed) the ball in accordance with the new kickout and stump rules. Michelle Mavunga overwhelmed by Richa Ghosh, India v Zimbabwe, 1st Women’s T20I, Raipur, October 16, 2026 And Zimbabwe’s decision to play early in Mandhana is paying off.
Although it wasn’t actually a wicket ball. A real back and middle half tracker. Mandhana can take her time, choose her location and put it away.
She steps back to do just that. But eventually she overshoots her attempt to pull and the backwards-facing quadruped makes no mistake. Early goal for Zimbabwe as India’s new full-time ctain falls to Chely. Gwanzura is on the rise in Raipur!
She sacked the Indian ctain in the last round and will now also get the vice-chairman. This is certainly not a shock that India is expecting and Zimbabwe is pleased. Thrown to a greater length on the outside.
Shafali moves his front foot away from the line of the ball and tries to throw it towards the ground. In the end he sends it back to Gwanzura, who takes it with a jump to the right. One more sweet, sweet dismissal and Gwanzura has two more! India rocked early.
Thrown, fuller on the outside and further with the wider line. Anushka leans forward for the ride but has to extend her hand. He ends up cutting him open at the back point to just grab him. Nyasha Gwanzura takes three wickets in her first two overs, India vs Zimbabwe, 1st Women’s T20I, Raipur, October 16, 2026. Harmanpreet falls to Chely and India are in early trouble!
Zimbabwe celebrate in Raipur. Full and on leg, 104.5kph. Harmanpreet comes down, crosses and tries to take it off his pads.
Hits straight to shorty midwicket where Gwanzura is back in action! What a start for Zimbabwe, absent for 49 years, but this innings lasted half a century! Full leg and Dee looks to sweep but he takes a top edge that doesn’t beat the small, skinny fielder.
Caught, but not before Dee took this match back into India’s favored holes deep towards mid-wicket. Tries to claim victory by crossing the finish line, but lack of rhythm leads to his dismissal. Cuts the shot and falls for 7. Nyasha Gwanzura takes three wickets in her first two overs, India v Zimbabwe, 1st Women’s T20I, Raipur, October 16, 2026. And Zimbabwe’s decision to bowl fast at Mandhana is paying off.
Although it wasn’t actually a wicket ball. A real back and middle half tracker. Mandhana can take her time, choose her location and put it away.
She steps back to do just that. But eventually she overshoots her attempt to pull and the backwards-facing quadruped makes no mistake. Early strike for Zimbabwe as India’s new full-time position runs out. Another soft dismissal and Gwanzura has two more!
India rocked early. Thrown, fuller on the outside and further with the wider line. Anushka leans forward for the ride but has to extend her hand.
He ends up cutting him backwards to just grab him. Gwanzura is on the rise in Raipur! She sacked the Indian ctain in the last round and will now also get the vice-chairman. This is certainly not a shock that India is expecting and Zimbabwe is pleased.
Thrown to a greater length on the outside. Shafali moves his front foot away from the line of the ball and tries to throw it towards the ground. In the end he sends it back to Gwanzura, who takes it with a jump to the right. Harmanpreet falls hard and India is in early trouble!
Zimbabwe celebrate in Raipur. Full and on leg, 104.5kph. Harmanpreet comes down, crosses and tries to take it off his pads.
Hits straight to shorty midwicket where Gwanzura is back in action! What a start for Zimbabwe, absent for 49 years, but this innings lasted half a century! Full leg and Dee looks to sweep but he takes a top edge that doesn’t beat the small, skinny fielder.
Caught, but not before Dee took this match back into India’s favored holes deep towards mid-wicket. Tries to claim victory by crossing the finish line, but lack of rhythm leads to his dismissal. Cuts the shot and falls for 7. And Zimbabwe’s move towards Mandhana pays off early.
Although it wasn’t actually a wicket ball. A real back and middle half tracker. Mandhana can take her time, choose her location and put it away.
She steps back to do just that. But eventually she overshoots her attempt to pull and the backwards-facing quadruped makes no mistake. Early strike for Zimbabwe as India’s new full-time position runs out. Another soft dismissal and Gwanzura has two more!
India rocked early. Thrown, fuller on the outside and further with the wider line. Anushka leans forward for the ride but has to extend her hand.
He ends up cutting him open at the back point to just grab him. Nyasha Gwanzura takes three wickets in her first two overs, India vs Zimbabwe, 1st Women’s T20I, Raipur, October 16, 2026. Harmanpreet falls to Chely and India are in early trouble! Zimbabwe celebrate in Raipur. Full and on leg, 104.5kph.
Harmanpreet comes down, crosses and tries to take it off his pads. Hits straight to shorty midwicket where Gwanzura is back in action! What a start for Zimbabwe! Gwanzura is on the rise in Raipur!
She sacked the Indian ctain in the last round and will now also get the vice-chairman. This is certainly not a shock that India is expecting and Zimbabwe is pleased. Thrown to a greater length on the outside.
Shafali moves his front foot away from the line of the ball and tries to throw it towards the ground. She ends up sending it back to Gwanzura who takes it with a diving catch her way for 49, but that innings lasted as good as half a century! Full leg and Dee looks to sweep but he takes a top edge that doesn’t beat the small, skinny fielder.
Caught, but not before Dee took this match back into India’s favored holes deep towards mid-wicket. Tries to claim victory by crossing the finish line, but lack of rhythm leads to his dismissal. Cuts and falls for 7 Ind vs Zim – 1st Women’s T20I – Dee Sharma on Niki Prasad – “It didn’t look like she was making her debut at all” Although India fell to 19 for 4 in the first T20I against Zimbabwe, Dee supported the batting line-up’s aggressive proach. Dee Sharma and Niki Prasad forged a winning partnership, India vs Zimbabwe, 1st Women’s T20I, Raipur, October 16, 2026 Debutant Niki Prasad was in an 82-run partnership with Dee Sharma that helped India recover from 19 for 4 in the chase. Dee Sharma started recovery work for India, India vs Zimbabwe, 1st Women’s T20I, Raipur, October 16, 2026 IND vs ZIM – Raipur Women’s T20I Niki Prasad on making her debut for India as Mandhana takes on Zimbabwe. Niki Prasad receives her T20I C from Smriti Mandhana, India vs Zimbabwe, 1st Women’s T20I, Raipur, October 16, 2026 Zimbabwe, who are yet to win a T20I this year, are playing their first ever bilateral series against India. Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana prepare to open the innings, India vs South Africa, Women’s World Cup final, Navi Mumbai, November 2, 2025. Debutant Niki Prasad was part of an 82-run partnership with Dee Sharma that helped India recover from 19 for 4 in the chase. Dee Sharma has started recovery work for India, India vs Zimbabwe, 1st Women’s T20I, Raipur, October 16, 2026. Zimbabwe, who are yet to win a T20I this year, are playing their first ever bilateral series against India. Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana prepare to open the innings, India vs South Africa, Women’s World Cup Final, Navi Mumbai, November 2, 2025 IND-W vs ZIM-W 2026/27, IND-W vs ZIM-W 1st T20I Match Report, October 16, 2026 – Dee Sharma and Niki Prasad seal a nervy chase from 115 for India IND-W vs ZIM-W 2026/27, IND Women vs ZIM Women Match Report: Debutant Niki Prasad was in an 82-run partnership with Dee Sharma that helped India recover from 19 for 4 in the chase. Debutant Niki Prasad was in an 82-run partnership with Dee Sharma that helped India recover from 19 for 4 in the chase.
