India vs Zimbabwe Women Live Score: Zimbabwe asked to bat first as Smriti Mandhana begins captaincy era

Zimbabwe Women (Playing XI) - Kelis Ndhlovu, Beloved Biza, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Sharne Mayers, Michelle Mavunga, Nyasha Gwanzura, Francisca Chipare, Modester Mupachikwa (WK), Josephine Nkomo (C), Olinder Chare, Tendai Makusha.. India Women (Playing XI) - Smriti Mandhana (C), Shafali Verma, Anushka Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Niki Prasad (On Debut), Richa Ghosh (WK), Deepti Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Sree Charani, Nandani Sharma, Kranti Gaud.. The skipper of Zimbabwe Women - Josephine Nkomo says the team is excited to be in Raipur for the first time and is looking forward to the series. She notes that they have prepared well and are coming into the series with confidence after a good outing against the West Indies. She adds that the side has a good mix of combinations and young talent, and hopes the team can make the most of the opportunity.. The captain of India Women - Smriti Mandhana says they have opted to field first with dew expected to play a big role, while also keeping the upcoming Champions Trophy in mind. She notes that they are going with three pacers, two frontline spinners and Shafali Verma as the sixth bowling option. She adds that Prema Rawat, Jintimani Kalita and Kamalini, along with Minnu Mani, miss out as part of the team combination. On taking over as India's full-time captain, Smriti says she has led the side several times before, including in the WPL, and is not thinking too much about the added responsibility. She highlights Zimbabwe as a strong team and points out that Niki Prasad is making her debut, while Anushka Sharma also comes into the side. Smriti feels the youngsters can make an impact and believes India can do good things over the next three months leading into the Champions Trophy..IND-W vs ZIM-W Live Score: India and Zimbabwe begin first bilateral series India and Zimbabwe are meeting in a bilateral series for the first time, with the opening T20I in Raipur starting a three-match contest. The teams will then move to Vadodara for three ODIs. For India, the tour comes at the start of Smriti Mandhana's captaincy era and forms part of preparations for the Women's Champions Trophy at home early next year. Zimbabwe, led by Josephine Nkomo, arrive after an ODI win over the West Indies and will look to carry that confidence into the T20 format..India Women vs Zimbabwe Women Live Score: India give new players a chance at number three India's number three position has been unsettled, and the Zimbabwe series could provide another opportunity to try options in the middle order. Shafali Verma said the team did not feel Jemimah Rodrigues' absence much during the Asia Cup and Asian Games, and indicated that India would continue testing players at the spot. “Jemi is recovering, but in the Asia Cup and the Asian Games, we did not feel much. The way Richa (Ghosh) and Harman played, and now Niki (Prasad) has come, hopefully she will do well and we will keep trying players,” Shafali said..India Women vs Zimbabwe Women Live Score: Shafali reflects on Harmanpreet's leadership Shafali Verma acknowledged Harmanpreet Kaur's contribution to Indian women's cricket after the change in captaincy. Harmanpreet stepped down, with Smriti Mandhana appointed captain across formats and Shafali named her T20I deputy. “Harman provided a lot of growth to women’s cricket and the way it has shaped, it is all because of her,” Shafali said about the former skipper. India now begin a new leadership phase, with Mandhana and Shafali tasked with guiding the team through the Zimbabwe series and preparations for next year's Champions Trophy..IND-W vs ZIM-W Live Score: Shafali says India want fearless, smart cricket Vice-captain Shafali Verma said India want to play an attacking game while making smart decisions as they prepare for the Women's Champions Trophy. “We have spoken about it, that in this series we have to play a fearless brand of cricket with smartness till the Champions Trophy. We have had lots of meetings so everyone knows what to do. We are just trying to keep growing series by series,” Shafali told reporters on the eve of the series opener. The approach will be tested against Zimbabwe..IND-W vs ZIM-W Live Score: India need more power beyond the top order India have relied on brisk starts from Mandhana and Shafali, but the middle overs have not always matched that early pace. The team also needs more power hitters to support Richa Ghosh in the lower order. With the Women's Champions Trophy at home early next year in mind, India will be looking for batters who can keep the run rate moving and finish innings strongly. The Zimbabwe series gives the team a chance to test its options and build confidence in different batting roles..India Women vs Zimbabwe Women Live Score: Middle overs remain India's batting concern India have often made flying starts through Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, but the team has struggled to keep the scoring going through the middle overs. The number three position has also seen several players come and go, while Harmanpreet Kaur's recent form has been a concern. Now playing as a specialist batter, the former captain will be under pressure to contribute with the bat. India will want their top-order momentum to carry deeper into the innings..India Women vs Zimbabwe Women Live Score: India look to sharpen their T20 game India arrive after a successful run in Asian cricket, but their T20 game remains a work in progress. Back-to-back group stage exits from the T20 World Cup have exposed weaknesses, and the team needs to improve its batting, bowling and fielding to challenge sides such as Australia consistently. The home ODI World Cup win last year was a landmark, but the Women's Champions Trophy early next year presents another challenge. The Zimbabwe series gives India three matches to work on their shortest-format game..IND-W vs ZIM-W Live Score: Mandhana begins a new chapter as India captain India begin a new chapter under Smriti Mandhana, who takes charge as captain across formats after Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down. The three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe in Raipur marks Mandhana’s first assignment as full-time skipper. India have enjoyed success at the Asian level, including winning the Asia Cup and Asian Games, but the team still has areas to improve in T20 cricket. The series offers Mandhana an early chance to shape the team's approach ahead of the Women's Champions Trophy at home early next year.