Shafali Verma celebrates her explosive 55 off just 25 deliveries during India’s dominant win over Zimbabwe in Raipur. (Img: X)
Raipur: India has produced a commanding all-round performance to defeat Zimbabwe by nine wickets in the second women’s T20 International in Raipur, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
After restricting Zimbabwe to 102 for eight, India chased down the target with 55 balls to spare, with Shafali Verma leading the charge and captain Smriti Mandhana providing assured support. The victory also ensured India avoided a repeat of the early batting collapse they suffered in the opening match.
Shafali set the tone with an aggressive 55 off just 25 deliveries, striking boundaries and sixes to put Zimbabwe’s bowlers under immediate pressure on Sunday. Her attacking approach helped India race to 76 without loss during the powerplay, their second-highest score in the first six overs of a women’s T20 International.
Mandhana complemented her opening partner with an unbeaten 47 off 25 balls. The duo added 96 runs for the first wicket, effectively ending Zimbabwe’s hopes of defending the modest total.
Shafali reached her half-century in 24 deliveries before being dismissed while attempting another big shot. Mandhana remained until the end, sealing the win with a six over long-off.
The result marked a significant turnaround for India against Zimbabwe spinner Nyasha Gwanzura, who had troubled the Indian top order in the first match. Gwanzura went wicketless in the second encounter, conceding 42 runs in three overs.
Earlier, India’s bowlers restricted Zimbabwe to 102 for eight, with Niki Prasad producing a memorable performance by claiming two wickets with her first two deliveries in T20 Internationals.
Prasad dismissed Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, who top-scored for Zimbabwe with 34 off 32 balls, before trapping Gwanzura leg-before-wicket. She became the first Indian woman to take two wickets with the first two balls of her T20I career.
Mugeri-Tiripano had attempted to stabilise the innings after Zimbabwe lost early wickets. Her 45-run partnership with captain Josephine Nkomo offered some resistance, but India continued to apply pressure.
Nkomo contributed 27 before being run out, leaving Zimbabwe without the late-innings acceleration needed to set a challenging target.
India’s bowling unit maintained control throughout the innings, restricting Zimbabwe’s scoring opportunities and preventing the lower order from building substantial partnerships.
Kranti Gaud returned figures of 1 for 15 in four overs, while Deepti Sharma claimed one wicket for 13 runs in three overs. Nandani Sharma and Sree Charani also picked up a wicket apiece.
With the bowlers limiting Zimbabwe to a total of just 102, India’s batters had a straightforward target to pursue. Shafali’s early assault ensured there was little scope for a comeback. The comprehensive victory gave India a 2-0 lead in the series, with the third T20I remaining to be played.
