India’s dramatic run‑chase sealed by Sharma and Prasad as they defeat Zimbabwe by four wickets

India posted a total of 116 for six, with Deepti Sharma scoring 49 and Niki Prasad remaining unbeaten on 39, while Zimbabwe’s off‑spinner Nyasha Gwanzura took three wickets. In reply, Zimbabwe managed 114 for five, with Sharne Mayers top‑scoring with 43 and Kelis Ndhlovu contributing 42. India sealed a four‑wicket victory.

After restricting Zimbabwe to 114 for five at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium – the venue of its first women’s international – India slipped to 19 for four in the first 19 deliveries. Nyasha Gwanzura’s incisive opening spell dismissed India’s captain, vice‑captain Shafali Verma and new No.3 Anushka Sharma.

India’s top-order wobble

India accelerated with 14 runs off the first over bowled by Tendai Makusha, as Smriti Mandhana smashed a short ball over mid‑wicket and later drove it crisply through cover‑point. Shafali Verma’s drive completed the over, leaving India well poised to chase the modest target.

Zimbabwe turned to off‑spin against Mandhana, a common tactical move in modern T20I cricket. The first ball, delivered by Gwanzura, was short of length on middle; Mandhana had the freedom to attack but only managed a top‑edge that was safely taken by Makusha at mid‑wicket. On the next delivery, Anushka Sharma cut a short ball through point but was caught at backward point off Gwanzura’s flighted delivery.

Former India captain Harmanpreet Kaur smashed a full‑length ball from Michelle Mavunga straight to mid‑wicket. Gwanzura then had Shafali Verma caught off her own bowling at the start of the fourth over, threatening India’s chase.

Prasad and Deepti revive India’s innings

Niki Prasad, receiving her cap from Smriti Mandhana, began her innings with four dot balls after India had slipped to 19 for three. Partnering with Deepti Sharma, she settled in, rotating the strike and allowing her senior partner to take the lead. Deepti struck Mavunga with an over‑square‑leg drive and followed with two fours off Gwanzura in the final over of the powerplay.

Prasad continued her strong form, evident from her recent performances in the India A series against Australia A. She brought Francisca Chipare down the ground for a four through mid‑wicket and then timed a punch through extra cover. The shot was a simple weight transfer; she waited for the length ball and push‑drank it between mid‑off and cover. A 15‑run partnership with Deepti off Olinder Chare’s leg‑spin in the tenth over put India firmly back in control.

Deepti then dominated Mavunga, hitting three fours in one over while aiming for a fifty. An attempted sweep was top‑edged to short fine leg. India lost Richa Ghosh soon after she smashed a six off Beloved Biza, but Prasad stayed till the end, steering India over the line.

Ndhlovu and Mayers shine for Zimbabwe

After being bowled out for 114, Zimbabwe began their reply poorly when Kranti Gaud had Beloved Biza caught lbw in the opening over. Opener Kelis Ndhlovu steadied the innings, regularly finding boundaries and sweeping against Shafali and Deepti. She added 53 runs with wicket‑keeper Modester Mupachikwa.

Following a drinks break, N Shree Charani removed Mupachikwa caught and bowled. Sharne Mayers came in with intent; she lofted Deepti’s delivery over mid‑off and later hit Shafali over long‑on for a six. Arundhati Reddy appeared to have Ndhlovu caught by Prasad at long‑off, but the TV umpire overruled, citing a ground‑touch, and Ndhlovu, who had walked, was sent back. Reddy later bowled Ndhlovu for 42 with a dipping full toss.

Mayers attacked Arundhati Reddy in the 18th over, completing a six followed by two consecutive fours that pushed Zimbabwe past 100. Nandani Sharma then claimed two wickets in two balls in the final over, restricting Zimbabwe to a total that proved insufficient despite their spirited effort.

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