India began Smriti Mandhana’s tenure as full-time captain with a four-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in Raipur, but the bare result concealed a chase that briefly veered towards embarrassment. Set only 115, the hosts were 19 for 4 after 19 balls before Deepti Sharma’s authority and Niki Prasad’s composure on debut restored order. Their 82-run fifth-wicket stand carried India to 116 for 6 in 15.4 overs and spared a powerful batting side a distinctly uncomfortable opening night.
Zimbabwe’s 114 for 5 had looked several runs light, even allowing for the measured pace of the surface. Beloved Biza fell lbw to Kranti Gaud in the first over, but Kelis Ndhlovu provided the shape of the innings, making 42 from 44 balls. Her alliance with Modester Mupachikwa was useful rather than urgent, and India’s spinners tightened the game through the middle. Shree Charani conceded only 14 from four overs, while Nandani Sharma’s 2 for 11 included two stumpings in the final over.
It required Sharne Mayers to give the innings its late purpose. Unbeaten on 43 from 33 balls, she found the boundary four times and cleared it twice, lifting Zimbabwe from 82 for 3 at the end of the 15th over. Yet the visitors’ 34-run Powerplay and long stretches without a release shot left them with little margin once India began their pursuit.
That margin suddenly appeared ample when Nyasha Gwanzura entered the attack. Mandhana had helped take 14 from the opening over, but miscued Gwanzura’s first ball to square leg. Anushka Sharma followed three deliveries later, slicing to backward point. Michelle Mavunga then removed Harmanpreet Kaur during a wicket-maiden, before Gwanzura held a sharp return catch from Shafali Verma. Three wickets for 18 would have been notable in any circumstances; here they transformed a routine chase into a test of nerve.
Deepti responded as experienced players should: not by retreating, but by choosing the correct moments to counterattack. She drove and cut with increasing certainty, collecting eight fours in 49 from 37 balls. At the other end Prasad absorbed four dots at the start of her international career, then allowed her range to emerge. Her unbeaten 39 from 35 contained six fours and, more importantly, no trace of panic. By the time Deepti swept Olinder Chare to short fine leg, one short of fifty, India needed only 14.
Richa Ghosh’s dismissal briefly gave Zimbabwe fresh hope, but Prasad stayed to finish the chase with 26 balls to spare. Deepti earned the player-of-the-match award for her rescue innings and economical four-over spell, though Prasad’s composure was nearly as important. Zimbabwe could draw encouragement from Gwanzura’s spell and Mayers’ late flourish. India had a win and a warning: their depth prevailed, but a modest target had become needlessly threatening after the top-order collapse. A night meant to herald a smooth new beginning instead opened with a jolt.
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