IND vs ZIM, 1st T20I: Kranti Gaud strikes early, India land the first blow

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.

17:09 (IST) Oct 16

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.

17:08 (IST) Oct 16

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.

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17:08 (IST) Oct 16

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.

17:06 (IST) Oct 16

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.

India won a path-breaking ODI World Cup at home last year but lifting the inaugural Women's Champions Trophy at home early next year would be a tougher task.

On the batting front, the team is struggling to maintain momentum in the middle overs following the flying starts provided by Mandhana and Shafali Verma.

The number three spot has become a case of musical chairs and the form of Mandhana's predecessor, Harmanpreet Kaur, has been a concern for a while.

Now playing as a specialist batter in the side, Harmanpreet will be under more pressure to deliver. India also need to groom more power hitters to support Richa Ghosh in the lower-order.