Niki, Deepti secure India 4-wkt win over Zimbabwe

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 here on Friday.

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. The Indian batters were guilty of throwing their wickets away with off-spinner Nyasha Gwanzura striking thrice in the powerplay. Mandhana fell on the first ball of the second over offering a sitter to the fielder at square leg.

Anushka Sharma was Gwanzura’s second wicket as she tried to force the pace only to be caught at point. The fall of former skipper Harmanpreet Kaur in the third over increased tensions in the dressing room.

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.

India and Zimbabwe are playing a bilateral series for the first time.

Brief scores:

Zimbabwe 114 For 5 In 20 Overs (Kelis Ndhlovu 42, Sharne Mayers 43 not out; Shree Charani 1/14, Nandani Sharma 2/11) lost to India 116 for 6 in 15.4 overs (Niki Prasad 39 not out, Deepti Sharma 49; Nyasha Gwanzura 3/18) by 4 wickets.

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The Hans India