Niki Prasad, Deepti Sharma Power India to Win Over Zimbabwe

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.