IND W vs ZIM W 3rd T20: India win the toss and elect to bat first

Smriti Mandhana (Pic: BCCI)

India Women won the toss in the third and final T20 against Zimbabwe and decided to bat first in Raipur. India have already won the series after taking a 2-0 lead in the three match series.

After winning the toss, Indian captain Smriti Mandhana was happy to bat first and put up a big total on board. She further added that the team is targeting to score over 180 runs to put themselves in a commanding position.

"We'd like to bat first today, just in a way the middle order gets a little more game time, they haven't got a lot of game time, so that's the reason today. [On the target for the innings] Well, T20s, you don't really want to have a number in your head. Just go out, play a good brand of cricket, just be positive and sometimes in T20 cricket, sky's the limit. So I wouldn't really put a number today, but anything around 180, 190-plus would be something good. Well, when you have players like Shafali, Harman and Richa Ghosh, you'll always be ahead in the numbers that sixes are scored. And yeah, the natural game is something to go out there and hit those shots." Smriti Mandhana said.

Zimbabwe captain Josephine Nkomo said she was looking to bat first too in the final T20. She further added that her team is learning a lot on their Indian tour and aiming to do well in all formats.

"We were looking to bat first, I don't think the conditions will change much and we are looking to do well in the power-plays. We are trying to rotate the strike more and play positively. You need to put in lot of hard-work and be willing to learn every game. We want to do well in all formats." Nkomo said.

Playing XI for both teams:

India Women (Playing XI): Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana(c), Anushka Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Niki Prasad, Richa Ghosh(w), Deepti Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Nandani Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Prema Rawat

Zimbabwe Women (Playing XI): Kelis Ndhlovu, Beloved Biza, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Sharne Mayers, Josephine Nkomo(c), Nyasha Gwanzura, Modester Mupachikwa(w), Kudzai Chigora, Loryn Phiri, Tendai Makusha, Nomvelo Sibanda