RAIPUR, OCT 18 (IANS): India women secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the T20I series against Zimbabwe after registering a dominant nine-wicket victory in the second match at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium here on Sunday.
Captain Smriti Mandhana remained unbeaten on 47 off 25 balls, while vice-captain Shafali Verma smashed 55 off just 25 deliveries as India chased down the 103-run target with 67 balls to spare.
The victory marked India’s 17th T20I win in 2026, their highest tally in a calendar year, surpassing the previous record of 16 wins achieved in 2018. India also recorded the biggest victory in women’s T20Is in terms of balls remaining while chasing a target above 100, bettering West Indies’ previous record of 65 balls against Zimbabwe.
Shafali and Mandhana launched an aggressive assault from the opening overs, taking India to 40 without loss in the first four overs. India dominated the powerplay, reaching 76 without losing a wicket in six overs.
Shafali completed her half-century off 24 balls but was dismissed on the following delivery. Mandhana sealed the victory with a six in the ninth over.
Earlier, India restricted Zimbabwe to 102/8, with Niki Prasad emerging as the standout performer. The youngster claimed two wickets for seven runs in two overs, becoming the first Indian woman to take a wicket off her first career ball in T20I cricket. She also picked up another wicket off her next delivery and narrowly missed a hat-trick.
Prasad had impressed in the opening match with an unbeaten 39-run knock. Kranti Gaud, Nandni Sharma, Deepti Sharma and Sree Charani also claimed a wicket each as Zimbabwe struggled to build a competitive total.
India will face Zimbabwe in the third and final T20I on October 20, aiming to complete a series sweep.
Brief Scores: Zimbabwe 102/8 in 20 overs (Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano 34, Josephine Nkomo 27; Niki Prasad 2/7, Deepti Sharma 1/13) lost to India 103/1 in 8.5 overs (Shafali Verma 55, Smriti Mandhana 47 not out; Beloved Biza 1/9) by nine wickets.
