# India women vs Zimbabwe 1st T20I: Mandhana bowls first in her first match as full-time captain, Niki Prasad debuts

Source: Searchable (https://searchable.pk/news/cricket/india-women-vs-zimbabwe-1st-t20i-mandhana-bowls-first-in-her-first-match-as-full)
Type: News article
Author: Searchable Editorial
Published: 16 Oct 2026
Updated: 16 Oct 2026
Retrieved: 16 Oct 2026

> It is the first international match ever between the two sides and the first women's T20I in Raipur. India left out four players and handed a cap to an in-form 21-year-old.

The **India vs Zimbabwe** women's series began in Raipur on Friday evening with **Smriti Mandhana** in charge as India's full-time captain for the first time. She won the toss and chose to bowl in the first of three T20Is, ESPNcricinfo reported.

It is the first time the two teams have met in international cricket, and the first women's T20I played in Raipur. "Zimbabwe vs India" was one of the most searched sport queries in Pakistan on Friday, according to Google Trends.

## Early score

Kranti Gaud struck with the last ball of the first over, trapping Beloved Biza lbw for 0. After four overs Zimbabwe were **25 for 1**, with Kelis Ndhlovu on 22 off 14 balls. We will add the result when the match ends. The players wore black armbands in memory of Sarah Dambanevana.

## Niki Prasad's debut

India handed a first international cap to **Niki Prasad**, presented by Mandhana and listed at No. 5. She arrives in form: an unbeaten 54 against Australia A in a T20, then 76 off 71 balls and four wickets in a one-day game against the same side.

With Jemimah Rodrigues out with a hamstring injury, Prasad and Anushka Sharma, batting at No. 3, have a chance to claim long-term places. Harmanpreet Kaur bats at No. 4. Jintimani Kalita, G Kamalini, Minnu Mani and Prema Rawat were left out. Shafali Verma is vice-captain for the T20Is.

Zimbabwe welcomed back their captain **Josephine Nkomo**, who missed their last game against West Indies.

## Playing XIs

**India:** Smriti Mandhana (captain), Shafali Verma, Anushka Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Niki Prasad, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, N Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma, Kranti Gaud.

**Zimbabwe:** Kelis Ndhlovu, Beloved Biza, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Josephine Nkomo (captain), Sharne Mayers, Modester Mupachikwa (wk), Michelle Mavunga, Francisca Chipare, Tendai Makusha, Olinder Chare, Loryn Phiri.

## Pakistan women

Pakistan's women's fixtures, squad and results are kept on our [Pakistan women's cricket page](/news/cricket/pakistan-womens-cricket-team-squad-captain-fixtures-and-results). The men's ODI tri-series with Sri Lanka and England starts in Rawalpindi on Sunday 18 October ([schedule](/news/cricket/pakistan-tri-series-schedule-results)), and India's men play West Indies in the deciding 5th T20I in Bengaluru on Saturday at 6:30pm PKT ([preview](/news/cricket/india-vs-west-indies-5th-t20i-bhuvneshwar-kumar-called-up-as-arshdeep-doubtful)).

## Frequently asked questions

**Have India and Zimbabwe women played before?**

No. The 1st T20I in Raipur on 16 October 2026 is the first international match between the two sides.

## Sources

- Niki Prasad on India debut as Mandhana opts to chase against Zimbabwe (ESPNcricinfo): https://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1558755.html
- India Women vs Zimbabwe Women, 1st T20I, live score (ESPNcricinfo): https://www.cricinfo.com/series/zimbabwe-women-in-india-2026-27-1535648/india-women-vs-zimbabwe-women-1st-t20i-1535652/live-cricket-score

How to cite: "India women vs Zimbabwe 1st T20I: Mandhana bowls first in her first match as full-time captain, Niki Prasad debuts", Searchable, 16 Oct 2026, https://searchable.pk/news/cricket/india-women-vs-zimbabwe-1st-t20i-mandhana-bowls-first-in-her-first-match-as-full