India Women start new T20I era under Mandhana as Zimbabwe arrive in Raipur
India Women begin a new T20I era under captain Smriti Mandhana when they host Zimbabwe in the opening match of the three-game series in Raipur on Thursday. Fresh from their ODI World Cup triumph last year, India will seek to transfer that momentum into the shortest format while Mandhana attempts to shape a clearer T20 identity.
India remain a leading side in Asia but have struggled for consistent wins against top teams such as Australia, England and South Africa, an issue the new leadership wants to address. When Harmanpreet Kaur took over as India's T20I captain from Mithali Raj in 2016 the team was recovering from an early exit at the Women's T20 World Cup on home soil; India subsequently progressed to reach the final of that tournament. Mandhana inherits the task of building on that development and making the next step in T20Is.
A persistent concern for India in T20Is has been the middle order after strong starts from Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma. With Jemimah Rodrigues still recovering from injury, Anushka Sharma and Gunalan Kamalini have chances to stake claims in the middle order. Anushka previously impressed in South Africa before losing her place and scored 173 runs in three One-Dayers against Australia; with Harmanpreet approaching the latter stages of her career, contributions from Anushka and Kamalini are viewed as important for longer-term planning.
The series will also be used to evaluate emerging players. Niki Prasad and Jintimani Kalita have received maiden India call-ups after progress in age-group and domestic cricket. Niki led India to titles in the inaugural Women's Under-19 Asia Cup and the Under-19 World Cup, has had opportunities with Delhi Capitals in the Women's Premier League and impressed in recent matches for India A. Kalita became the first woman cricketer from Assam to secure a WPL contract when Mumbai Indians signed her for Rs 10 lakh at the 2023 auction, later joined Gujarat Giants as an injury replacement for Titas Sadhu in 2026 and gained experience during India A's tour of England and the home series against Australia.
Zimbabwe arrive on the back of a recent ODI victory over the West Indies but must improve their T20I form after losing all three matches against the same opposition. Building competitive totals, taking wickets regularly and maintaining discipline in the field are areas identified for improvement. Nyasha Gwanzura could be a key bowling option, Josephine Nkomo’s all-round abilities and leadership will be important, and wicketkeeper-batter Modester Mupachikwa, Kelis Ndhlovu, Michelle Mavunga and Francisca Chipare are expected to contribute.
Raipur has not hosted a Women's T20I yet but staged the Senior Women's T20 Challenger Trophy in 2022, where the average score hovered around 130 and the highest total reached 165; in men's T20 cricket the average score is around 155. There is no chance of rain in Raipur on Thursday, with temperatures expected to hover around 26 degrees Celsius and humidity at about 70 per cent. India and Zimbabwe are yet to face each other in Women’s T20Is.
India Women: Smriti Mandhana (C), Shafali Verma, Anushka Sharma, Gunalan Kamalini, Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), Prema Rawat, Shree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Nandni Sharma
Zimbabwe Women: Modester Mupachikwa (wk), Sharne Mayers, Kelis Ndhlovu, Beloved Biza, Chipo-Mugeri Tiripano, Nyasha Gwanzura, Francisca Chipare, Chiedza Dhururu, Josephine Nkomo (C), Loryn Phiri, Nomvelo Sibanda
All matches in the T20I series between India Women and Zimbabwe Women will start at 7 PM IST; Star Sports Network holds the broadcasting rights and live streaming will be available on JioHotstar.
