Debutant Niki Prasad scored an unbeaten 39 while Deepti Sharma made 49 as India defeated Zimbabwe by four wickets in the first women’s T20I in Raipur on Friday, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Chasing 115, India suffered a dramatic collapse, losing their first four wickets for just 19 runs inside four overs. However, Deepti and Niki steadied the innings with an 82-run fifth-wicket partnership off 63 balls to revive the hosts’ chase.
Deepti narrowly missed her half-century before Richa Ghosh struck a six. Niki then sealed the victory with a boundary as India reached the target with 26 balls remaining.
Earlier, Zimbabwe posted 114/5 after being sent in to bat. Kelis Ndhlovu scored 42, while Sharne Mayers remained unbeaten on 43. India’s Sree Charani returned figures of 1/14, while Nandni Sharma claimed 2/11, including two stumpings in the final over.
India captain Smriti Mandhana began her full-time leadership tenure with a victory. The second T20I will be played in Raipur on Sunday.