Deepti Sharma delivered with both bat and ball as India overcame an early collapse to beat Zimbabwe by four wickets in the first T20I in Raipur on Friday, giving Smriti Mandhana a winning start to her tenure as full-time captain.
After restricting Zimbabwe to 114/5 in 20 overs, India appeared to be cruising towards a routine victory. Instead, off-spinner Nyasha Gwanzura ripped through the top order, leaving the hosts reeling at 19/4 inside the powerplay. Deepti then anchored the chase with a composed 49 off 37 deliveries, guiding India out of trouble alongside debutant Niki Prasad.
The pair added 82 runs for the fifth wicket, rebuilding the innings without taking unnecessary risks. Niki initially focused on settling in before finding boundaries, while Deepti gradually shifted gears as the partnership grew. Her experience proved crucial in a chase that had threatened to unravel.
Deepti fell one run short of a half-century, but Niki remained unbeaten and sealed the victory with a boundary. The four-wicket win gave India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Deepti had earlier played her part with the ball, conceding just 22 runs in four overs as India kept Zimbabwe’s scoring in check. Nandni Sharma was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 2/11 after taking two wickets in the final over. Her economical spell ensured the visitors could not build a bigger total.
Zimbabwe’s innings was held together by Kelis Ndhlovu, who scored a patient 42 off 44 balls, striking six fours. The left-hander anchored the middle overs before Arundhati Reddy dismissed her with a slower delivery that beat her attempted shot and hit the off stump.
Sharne Mayers provided the late impetus with an unbeaten 43 off 33 balls, including three fours and a six. After a slow start, she accelerated from the 13th over, taking on India’s bowlers to lift Zimbabwe to 114/5.
Gwanzura then turned the match on its head with three wickets in the powerplay, exposing India’s top order and briefly putting Zimbabwe in control. Deepti’s intervention, however, ensured the early damage did not cost India the match.
For India, the victory offered an early glimpse of the value of Deepti’s all-round contribution. Her disciplined bowling helped restrict Zimbabwe, and her calm batting proved decisive when the chase demanded a rescue act.
