19 October,2026 04:31 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Smriti Mandhana (File Pic)
With their batting order back in form, the Indian women's cricket team will look to extend their winning streak and secure a 3-0 series sweep against Zimbabwe in the final T20I.
Smriti Mandhana's reign as full-time skipper began with early struggles in the opening fixture when first-time visitors Zimbabwe reduced India to 19/4 while defending 114 on a slow pitch. Fresh off an Asia Cup victory and Asian Games gold, India overcame the early collapse thanks to efforts from Deepti Sharma and rising all-rounder Niki Prasad.
Debuting at the senior level, the 20-year-old Niki remained 39 not out to seal the opening win. She backed it up in the second T20I with figures of 2/7, striking with her first two deliveries in international cricket. Mandhana led the chase with an unbeaten 47 off 25 balls alongside Shafali Verma's explosive 55 off 25, powering India to a nine-wicket victory on Sunday and an unassailable 2-0 lead.
Mandhana's form is a boost ahead of February's Champions Trophy, while Shafali Verma continues her dominant 2026 run with 922 runs at a 165.52 strike rate. Meanwhile, 23-year-old Anushka Sharma will seek another top-order opportunity at No. 3 with Jemimah Rodrigues sidelined by injury.
The highlight of the series has been the transition of Niki, captain of India's 2025 Under-19 T20 World Cup-winning side, who has impressed with both bat and off-spin.
"This is my first time with the Indian team, and overall the environment in the dressing room is very good. I think Smriti didi is carrying forward the same environment (as her predecessor Harmanpreet Kaur)," she said.
"Whatever happened in the last match... it is done and dusted. All the batters applied themselves well (in the second T20I on Sunday), and Smriti and Shafali played to their strengths," she added.
Zimbabwe, who secured a landmark ODI win against the West Indies in September, remain winless across 20 T20Is in 2026. They will rely on opener Kelis Ndhlovu for a solid opening platform and off-spinner Nyasha Gwanzura to repeat her top-order heroics.
India: Smriti Mandhana (c), Shafali Verma (vc), Niki Prasad, Harmanpreet Kaur, Anushka Sharma, Richa Ghosh [WK], G Kamalini [WK], Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Shree Charani, Nandni Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Jintimani Kalita and Minnu Mani.
Zimbabwe: Josephine Nkomo (c), Beloved Biza, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Kelis Ndhlovu, Michelle Mavunga, Francisca Chipare, Olinder Chare, Kudzai Chigora, Nyasha Gwanzura, Nomvelo Sibanda, Loryn Phiri, Chiyedza Dhururu, Modester Mupachikwa, Tendai Makusha, Sharne Mayers.
