India Women’s look to roar against Zimbabwe with series victory on the line
Published: October 18, 2026 04:29 PM IST
India aim to secure the series in the second Women’s T20I against Zimbabwe after winning a nervy opener by four wickets.
The Indian top order must improve against spin after suffering a collapse to 19 for 4 in the first match, which required a rescue act from debutant Niki Prasad and Deepti Sharma.
Zimbabwe enter the contest with high confidence following their spirited defence and strong bowling performance in the opening fixture.
Raipur: A dominant performance to seal the series will be high on Team India’s agenda as they take on Zimbabwe in the second Women’s T20I here today. Leading the three-match series 1-0 following a four-wicket victory in the opener, the hosts will be eager to put on a much more convincing display.
Having barely scraped through a nervy chase in the first game, India will need their explosive opening pair of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma to rediscover their rhythm if they hope to dispatch Zimbabwe with ease. The top order endured an alarming collapse in the opening fixture, with skipper Smriti, Shafali, Anushka Sharma, and Harmanpreet Kaur all dismissed for single-digit scores. Reeling at a dismal 19 for 4, it took a rescue act from debutant Niki Prasad and experienced all-rounder Deepti Sharma to pull India out of trouble.
The batters’ vulnerability against spin inside the Powerplay emerged as a major headache for the team management. Zimbabwe off-spinner Nyasha Gwanzura capitalized on the weakness, bagging three crucial wickets in the first six overs. On the bright side, the calm and grit demonstrated by Niki, the architect of India’s victory on debut, and Deepti under immense pressure has handed the hosts a significant confidence boost.
The bowlers did the heavy lifting in game one by restricting the visitors to a modest total, and another disciplined outing from the bowling unit should tilt the scales firmly in India’s favor.
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, will draw immense confidence from pushing the heavyweights to the brink. Even though they failed to post a formidable total with the bat, their resolve to bat through without getting bowled out, followed by a spirited assault on India’s star-studded top order, proved their mettle. If the visitors can replicate that fearless brand of cricket tonight, the hosts could well find themselves tested once again.
The match begins at 7:00 PM IST and will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and JioHotstar.