WITH its batting unit back in rhythm, the Indian women’s cricket team will aim to extend its winning streak and complete a 3-0 sweep against Zimbabwe in the final T20I in Raipur, on Tuesday. Smriti Mandhana’s era as full-time captain began with some jittery moments in the first T20I when Zimbabwe, touring India for the first time, reduced the hosts to 19-4 while defending a modest 114 on a slow surface. Coming off an Asia Cup triumph and a gold-winning campaign at the Asian Games, India finally overcame the nerves with Deepti Sharma and rising all-rounder Niki Prasad’s measured performances.

 

On her senior international debut, the 20-year-old Niki remained unbeaten on 39 against Zimbabwe, helping India recover from their early batting collapse and hit the winning runs. She followed it up with a match-winning spell of 2-7 in the second T20I, taking a wicket with each of her first two deliveries at the international level. Mandhana led from the front with an unbeaten 47 off 25 balls, while Shafali Verma struck a blistering 55 off just 25 deliveries as India cruised to a ninewicket victory in the second T20I on Sunday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead.