India secured the Women’s T20I series against Zimbabwe with a dominant nine-wicket victory in the second match, thanks to an explosive performance from Shafali Verma and captain Smriti Mandhana. India’s win also marked a successful start to Mandhana’s tenure as full-time captain, with one match still remaining in the series.
Shafali smashed a 24-ball half-century, striking six fours and four sixes, as India chased down Zimbabwe’s target of 103 with remarkable ease. Her partnership with Mandhana was their ninth 50-plus stand of 2026, equalling the record for the most such partnerships by a pair in women’s T20 internationals in a calendar year.
Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana Dominate the Chase
After India’s bowlers restricted Zimbabwe to 102/8 in 20 overs, the opening pair launched an aggressive attack from the start. India raced to 76 without losing a wicket during the Powerplay, recording their second-highest Powerplay total in women’s T20Is.
Shafali began with a boundary before adding a six in the same over from Nyasha Gwanzura. Mandhana then joined the assault, putting further pressure on Zimbabwe’s bowling attack.
Shafali continued her charge in the fifth over, collecting five boundaries off Gwanzura. She followed that display with two fours and a six against Michelle Mavunga in the next over.
Even after the field spread, India maintained their attacking approach. Mandhana struck a powerful six off Olinder Chare in the seventh over, while Shafali reached her half-century with another maximum in the eighth.
Shafali was dismissed on the following delivery after scoring 55 from 25 balls, but the early damage had already left Zimbabwe with little chance of recovering.
Mandhana finished the job six balls later, hitting a six to take India to 104/1 in just 8.5 overs. India completed the chase with 67 balls remaining, setting a record for the most balls left unused in a successful chase of a target above 100 in women’s T20Is.
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India’s Bowlers Keep Zimbabwe Under Pressure
India’s dominant batting display followed a disciplined performance with the ball. Zimbabwe struggled to build momentum during the opening overs, with Nandani Sharma dismissing opener Kelis Ndhlovu in the fourth over.
Zimbabwe reached the end of the Powerplay at just 20/1 and continued to lose wickets as India controlled the middle overs. The score moved to 20/2 before Zimbabwe slipped further to 30/3 in the ninth over.
Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano and captain Josephine Nkomo offered some resistance, putting together a 45-run partnership that briefly steadied the innings.
However, Niki Prasad struck twice in the first two balls of her international career, becoming only the third player across men’s and women’s cricket to achieve that feat in the format.
Zimbabwe were reduced to 75/5 after 14.2 overs and struggled to accelerate in the closing stages. Mugeri-Tiripano top-scored with 34 as the visitors finished on 102/8, a total that proved far too small against India’s powerful opening pair.
India Seal the Series in Style
India’s nine-wicket triumph secured the Women’s T20I series with one game still to play. Mandhana’s team combined disciplined bowling with an outstanding opening partnership to make the contest one-sided.
Shafali’s rapid half-century and Mandhana’s unbeaten 47 highlighted India’s batting strength, while Niki Prasad’s two wickets helped restrict Zimbabwe to a modest total.
Brief Scorecard
- Zimbabwe Women: 102/8 in 20 overs — Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano 34; Niki Prasad 2/7.
- India Women: 104/1 in 8.5 overs — Shafali Verma 55, Smriti Mandhana 47 not out.
- Result: India won by nine wickets, with 67 balls remaining.
India will now look to carry this momentum into the final T20I after sealing the series with an emphatic performance.
