Smriti Mandhana-led India will look to complete a clean sweep against Zimbabwe when the two teams lock horns in the third and final T20I at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on Tuesday.
The series began with the Women in Blue clinching a nervy four-wicket win in the first T20I, wherein they chased down a total of 115 in 15.4 overs.
The followed that up with a much more clinical performance in the second T20I, wherein they restricted the African side to 102/8 before chasing down a target of 103 with nine wickets and 11.1 overs to spare.
Opener stood out in that match, scoring 55 runs as she and (47 not out) forged a 96-run stand for the opening wicket. Mandhana and the No 3 batter in Anushka Sharma eventually sealed the chase for the hosts.
Tuesday’s match is an opportunity for Zimbabwe to clinch a consolation win before the focus shifts towards a three-match ODI series, which will begin in Vadodara on Friday.
The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur has offered a challenging surface for batters in the Women vs Women T20I series. Zimbabwe managed meagre totals of 114/5 in the first match and 102/8 in the second, suggesting that building partnerships may be crucial.
While the pitch initially appeared hard, with good bounce and carry, the first two games indicate that bowlers can make an impact. India have successfully chased both targets, with batting proving easier in the second innings.
The third T20I between India and Zimbabwe women’s cricket teams will be telecast on the Star Sports Network TV channels, both Hindi and English, with both SD and HD formats available. The match will also be streamed LIVE on the JioHotstar app and website.
India and Zimbabwe have only met twice in women’s T20Is, with both matches taking place in the ongoing series. India have won both the matches so far.
India: Smriti Mandhana (c), Shafali Verma, Anushka Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Niki Prasad, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Sree Charani, Nandani Sharma, and Jintimani Kalita.
Zimbabwe: Kelis Ndhlovu, Beloved Biza, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Sharne Mayers, Josephine Nkomo (c), Nyasha Gwanzura, Modester Mupachikwa (wk), Michelle Mavunga, Francisca Chipare, Olinder Chare, and Tendai Makusha.
