Deepti Sharma, Debutant Niki Prasad Steer India To Four-Wicket Win Over Zimbabwe

Deepti Sharma and debutant Niki Prasad rescued India from a precarious 19/4 to secure a four-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the opening women’s T20I at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Chasing 115, India reached 116/6 in 15.4 overs, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Deepti scored 49, while Niki remained unbeaten on 39.

The pair added 82 runs off 63 balls for the fifth wicket, steadying the innings after Zimbabwe’s bowlers dismantled India’s top order.

Smriti Mandhana struck two boundaries in the opening over but fell soon afterwards.

Nyasha Gwanzura dismissed Mandhana and Anushka Sharma, while Michelle Mavunga removed Harmanpreet Kaur.

Gwanzura then caught Shafali Verma off her own bowling, leaving India reeling at 19/4 inside four overs.

Deepti counter-attacked with confident strokes, while Niki displayed composure on her international debut.

Deepti narrowly missed her half-century before Richa Ghosh hit a six and departed. Niki sealed the victory with a boundary off Tendai Makusha.

Earlier, Zimbabwe posted 114/5 in 20 overs. Kelis Ndhlovu scored 42, while Sharne Mayers remained unbeaten on 43 to provide late momentum.

Zimbabwe reached 60/1 at halfway but struggled to accelerate as India tightened their grip through the middle overs.

N Sree Charani returned figures of 1/14 from four overs. Nandani Sharma claimed 2/11, dismissing Nyasha and Mavunga off successive deliveries in the final over.

Nyasha finished with 3/18, but Deepti and Niki’s partnership ensured India avoided an upset and began the series with a win.

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