Opener Kelis Ndhlovu played some crisp strokes in her 44-ball 42 and Sharne Mayers smashed an unbeaten 43 off 33 balls but India still managed to restrict Zimbabwe to 114 for five. At 19 for four, India were in all sorts of trouble before Niki (39 not out off 35) and Deepti (49 off 37) steadied the ship with an 82-run stand. India eventually got the job done in 15.4 overs.
India survived a major scare before debutant Niki Prasad and veteran Deepti Sharma combined to take the hosts to a four-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the first Women’s T20 in Raipur on Friday.
Prasad, the U-19 World Cup-winning captain, impressed with her poise and strokeplay in her debut game after India’s mini collapse. She deservingly hit the winning runs.
Mayers struck two sixes and four boundaries late in the innings to add valuable runs to the team’s total. The match also marked the beginning of Smriti Mandhana’s captaincy era.
Sharne Mayers produced an unbeaten 43 off 33 balls to lift Zimbabwe in the death overs.
Earlier, Ndhlovu’s effort stood out, while the other Zimbabwe batters struggled against the home team.
