IND-W v ZIM-W: 1st T20I in Raipur on October 16, 2026
India Women will host Zimbabwe Women in the first T20I of Zimbabwe’s tour of India at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on October 16, 2026, with the match scheduled to start at 7 PM IST; Smriti Mandhana will begin her captaincy tenure in this series.
The tour comprises six limited-over matches — three ODIs and three T20Is — with the T20 leg opening on October 16. Josephine Nkomo will lead the Zimbabwe side. India have made changes to their squad, bringing in Niki Prasad, G Kamalini, Prema Rawat, Minnu Mani and Anushka Sharma, who the article says will have a great opportunity to showcase their skills and impress the selectors. The two sides will meet in a women’s T20I for the first time.
The forecast for Friday evening in Raipur is cloudy, with humidity around 80% and a temperature near 27°C. The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium wicket is described as flat and high-scoring, with an average score of 191 and very minimal help for bowlers. Dew is expected in the second innings, making bowling first the preferable option; fast bowlers may find early swing but the surface will aid batters as the game progresses.
India’s named XI for the match is: Smriti Mandhana (C), Shafali Verma, Anushka Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh (WK), Deepti Sharma, Minnu Mani, Prema Rawat, N Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma, Kranti Gaud. Zimbabwe’s XI is: Kelis Ndhlovu, Beloved Biza, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Chiedza Dhururu (WK), Nyasha Gwanzura, Christine Mutasa, Josephine Nkomo (C), Loryn Phiri, Nomvelo Sibanda, Tendai Makusha, Kudzai Chigora. Kranti Gaud and N Shree Charani are among the bowlers named in India’s XI.
Dream11 suggestions listed batters as Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and C Mugeri Tiripano. The all-rounders recommended are Arundhati Reddy, L Phiri, Deepti Sharma, Beloved Biza and Josephine Nkomo, while bowlers highlighted are Kranti Gaud and Shree Charani. Captain and vice-captain pairings include: Captain First-Choice Kranti Gaud, Captain Second-Choice Beloved Biza; Vice-Captain First-Choice Shree Charani, Vice-Captain Second-Choice Arundhati Reddy. A second set of options lists Captain First-Choice Shafali Verma, Captain Second-Choice Deepti Sharma; Vice-Captain First-Choice Smriti Mandhana, Vice-Captain Second-Choice Harmanpreet Kaur.
Zimbabwe have not won a T20I since September 2025, and the article states their chances against India are low; accordingly, the piece backs India Women to win the opening T20I in Raipur.
The 1st T20I will take place on October 16, 2026 at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur. For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join their community on Whatsapp & Telegram.