Raipur, October 16 (Daily Kiran) : The Indian women’s cricket team achieved a notable victory against Zimbabwe, winning by four wickets in the first match of the T20 series held at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on October 16. This win gives India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, with the next two matches scheduled for October 18 and 20 at the same venue.

Zimbabwe, batting first after losing the toss, managed to score only 114 runs, losing five wickets in the process. They faced an early setback, losing opener Bilwild Bija for a duck at a score of 7. However, Kelis Ndhlovu steadied the innings, partnering with Modester Mupachikwa to add 53 runs for the second wicket. Mupachikwa was dismissed for 16 runs.

Sharne Meyers then joined Ndhlovu, contributing 22 runs for the third wicket, followed by a 31-run partnership with Nyasha Gwandzura, which helped the team surpass the century mark. Meyers top-scored for Zimbabwe with an unbeaten 43 runs off 33 balls, including two sixes and four fours. Ndhlovu also played well, scoring 42 runs from 44 balls with six sixes.

For India, Nandini Sharma was impressive, taking two wickets for just 11 runs in her four overs. Shree Charani claimed one wicket for 14 runs, while Kranti Gaur and Arundhati Reddy each took one wicket.

In response, India had a rocky start, losing newly appointed captain Smriti Mandhana for 9 runs in just 1.1 overs. Anushka Sharma followed shortly, contributing only one run before being dismissed. Harmanpreet Kaur fell for just 1 run, leaving India struggling at 19 runs for three wickets. Shefali Verma was the next to go, returning to the pavilion with just 4 runs.

At this point, the match seemed to be slipping away from India. However, debutant Nikki Prasad and Deepti Sharma turned the tide by forming a crucial partnership. They added 82 runs for the fifth wicket off 63 balls, bringing India closer to victory. Deepti fell just short of a half-century, scoring 49 runs off 37 balls with eight boundaries. Nikki then took charge, remaining unbeaten on 39 runs from 35 balls, sealing the win for India in 15.4 overs.

For Zimbabwe, Nyasha Gwandzura was the standout bowler, taking three wickets for 18 runs in three overs, while Michelle Mavunga, Olinder Chare, and Bilwild Bija each secured one wicket.

This victory sets a promising tone for the series as India looks to build on this momentum in the upcoming matches.