Shafali, Mandhana power India women to series-sealing nine-wicket win over Zimbabwe

India women wrapped up the T20I series against Zimbabwe with a game to spare on Sunday, cruising to a nine-wicket win in the second match in Raipur as Shafali Verma and captain Smriti Mandhana tore into a modest target of 103.

Bowlers set it up

Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bat on a slow, grippy surface, but India’s attack gave them little room. Nandani Sharma bowled opener Kelis Ndhlovu for a duck and Zimbabwe could manage only 20 for 1 in the powerplay. Deepti Sharma removed Beloved Biza and Kranti Gaud, who conceded just 15 runs in her four overs, dismissed Sharne Mayers to leave the visitors on 30 for 3.

Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (34 off 32 balls) and captain Josephine Nkomo put on 45 for the fourth wicket to steady things, helped by a couple of dropped catches. The stand ended when debutant off-spinner Niki Prasad struck with her very first ball in international cricket, having Mugeri-Tiripano caught behind by Richa Ghosh. She trapped Nyasha Gwanzura lbw with the next delivery, joining just three others in women’s international cricket to strike with each of her first two legal deliveries, according to ESPNcricinfo. Prasad finished with 2 for 7 from two overs.

Nkomo battled to an unbeaten 27, and Zimbabwe ended on 102 for 8. Mandhana used seven bowlers, five of whom picked up at least one wicket.

Shafali and Mandhana in a hurry

There was no repeat of the top-order wobble India suffered in the opening game. The openers raced to 76 without loss in the powerplay, with Mandhana hitting four fours in a row in one over. Shafali brought up her fifty in quick time and was out to a mis-hit soon after for 55, which included six fours and four sixes. The 96-run opening partnership effectively settled the contest.

Mandhana remained not out on 47 and sealed the win with a six, as India reached 104 for 1 in 8.5 overs, with 67 balls in hand. It was her first series victory since taking over as full-time captain.

Records for Shafali

The innings carried Shafali past Mandhana for the most T20I sixes by an India women’s player, taking her tally to 111. It was also her ninth score of 50 or more in women’s T20Is this year, a new record for a calendar year, surpassing the eight Mandhana made in 2024. The opening pair’s partnership was their ninth 50-plus stand of 2026, the most by any pair in a single year.

India now lead the three-match series 2-0. The final game will be played in Raipur on Tuesday.

Sources: ESPNcricinfo, Olympics.com, Yahoo Sports