Nandini Sharma takes two wickets as Zimbabwe set India a target of 115 in Raipur T20
India's bowlers restricted Zimbabwe to a modest total in the first women's T20 of the series in Raipur, with Nandini Sharma taking two wickets.
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The first match of the T20 series between India and Zimbabwe is being played at the stadium in Raipur today. India captain Smriti Mandhana won the toss and chose to bowl first.
The BCCI has given Mandhana the captaincy, and this is India's first match under her leadership, so all eyes are on the game.
India put Zimbabwe in to bat. Kelis Ndhlovu and Priya Biza opened the innings for Zimbabwe, but Biza was dismissed without scoring. Modester Mupachikwa then went for 16. Zimbabwe could not put up a big total and set India a target of 115.
Shree Charani gave India the first wicket.
The Indian bowlers kept Zimbabwe to a low score. Nandini Sharma bowled a probing spell and took two wickets. Spinner Kranti Goud took one wicket, and Arundhati Reddy and Shree Charani also took one each. The Indian attack looked accurate in the very first match.
India now appear set to chase down the target of 115 comfortably. If they do, it will be Mandhana's first win as captain. However, India's batting is still to come and the match is on.
India squad: Smriti Mandhana (captain), Shafali Verma (vice-captain), Niki Prasad, Harmanpreet Kaur, Anushka Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), G Kamalini (wicketkeeper), Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Shree Charani, Nandini Sharma, Kranti Goud, Arundhati Reddy, Jintimani Kalita and Minnu Mani.
Zimbabwe squad: Josephine Nkomo (captain), Beloved Biza, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Kelis Ndhlovu, Michelle Mavunga, Francisca Chipare, Olinder Chare, Kudzai Chigora, Nyasha Gwanzura, Nomvelo Sibanda, Loryn Phiri, Chiedza Dhururu, Modester Mupachikwa, Tendai Makusha and Sharne Mayers.
