India-W crush Zimbabwe-W in Raipur to pocket WT20I series with a game to spare
The Indian women’s cricket team were back to their phenomenal best as they blew away Zimbabwe in the second WT20I, pocketing the series with a game to spare. Raipur witnessed a clinical all-round performance from the Women in Blue as Zimbabwe failed to come anywhere close to their faring in the series opener.
Winning the toss, Zimbabwe opted to bat first in Raipur. India were quick to strike as Nandani Sharma cannoned through the defences of Kelis Ndhlovu (0). Deepti Sharma helped India bolster their grip on the game, claiming the crucial scalp of Beloved Biza (7). Kranti Gaud was the next one to hammer down on the Zimbabwean resistance as she got the better of Sharna Mayers (9).
The visitors got a small overhaul in place after Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (34) came together alongside the Zimbabwean skipper, Josephine Nkomo (27*) as the two added 45 runs for the fourth wicket. Niki Prasad was the one to break the stand by claiming the latter and from thereon, Zimbabwe went into an unchecked downward spiral.
They lost five wickets for 27 runs, concluding the innings at 102/8. Niki Prasad was the best of the Indian bowling lot with figures of 2/7 while she had significant support from Kranti Gaud, Nandani Sharma, Deepti Sharma and Shree Charani as they claimed a wicket apiece.
India had no intentions of taking this game deep. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma helped India fly off the shelf. The two added 96 runs for the opening stand in just 47 balls. Verma was the aggressor-in-chief with a 25-ball-55. Mandhana played her part as the Zimbabwean bowlers faced trouble from both ends.
Verma hammered six fours and four sixes, scoring at a rate of 220 before falling to Beloved Biza. Mandhana stayed unbeaten for 47 off just 25 balls, rocking six fours and two sixes.
India completed the chase within just nine overs, securing the series with a game to spare. Verma bagged the Player of the Match award for her stellar half-century.
