Debutant Niki Prasad and Deepti Sharma Rescue India From 19/4 in Win Over Zimbabwe

India Women beat Zimbabwe Women by four wickets in the first T20I at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on Friday, October 16. India chased down 115 and finished on 116 for 6 in 15.4 overs. They won with 26 balls to spare. India lead the series 1-0.

It was the first women's international ever played between the two teams. It was also Smriti Mandhana's first match as India's full-time captain. She was named captain in all three formats on October 6.

Zimbabwe made 114 for 5 in their 20 overs. Sharne Mayers stayed unbeaten on 43. Kelis Ndhlovu made 42. No other batter could build a big score. Nandani Sharma was the best of India's bowlers with 2 for 11 in four overs. Charani took 1 for 14.

India's chase began well, with 14 runs from the first over. Then it fell apart. Right-arm spinner Nyasha Gwanzura removed Mandhana for 9 and Anushka Sharma for 4 in the second over. Michelle Mavunga then dismissed Harmanpreet Kaur for 1. India were 19 for 4. It was the first time India had lost their first four wickets inside four overs in a women's T20I. Gwanzura finished with 3 for 18.

Deepti Sharma and debutant Niki Prasad turned the game around. They put on 82 runs for the fifth wicket. Deepti played an attacking innings of 49 off 37 balls. Niki stayed calm and made an unbeaten 39 off 35 balls on her T20I debut. India lost a sixth wicket, but Niki hit the winning runs herself.

Niki is the captain who led India to the Under-19 World Cup title. Her first match for the senior side was a tough one. She handled the pressure well and helped India start their home season with a win.

The second T20I will be played in Raipur on Sunday, October 18. India will want a better start with the bat. Zimbabwe will hope their spinners can strike early again.