IND-W vs ZIM-W: India hopes to avoid top-order collapse against Zimbabwe in 2nd T20I

The host will be keen to avoid a repeat of the early collapse, with the top four — captain Smriti Mandhana (in picture), Shafali Verma, Anushka Sharma and former skipper Harmanpreet Kaur — all falling for single-digit scores. | Photo Credit: BCCI Women/X

The Indian top order will look to deliver a more assured batting display when it takes on Zimbabwe in the second women’s T20I in Raipur on Sunday.

India survived a major scare in the series opener, recovering from 19 for four through a match-winning 82-run partnership between debutant Niki Prasad and seasoned all-rounder Deepti Sharma to secure a four-wicket victory.

The Indian batters were guilty of throwing their wickets away, with off-spinner Nyasha Gwanzura striking thrice in the powerplay.

The host will be keen to avoid a repeat of the early collapse, with the top four — captain Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Anushka Sharma and former skipper Harmanpreet Kaur — all falling for single-digit scores.

However, Deepti backed India’s commitment to an aggressive approach, saying there would always be occasions when luck favoured the opposition.

“Of course, we want to play an aggressive brand of cricket, and that was in our mind,” Deepti told reporters after the match.

“Occasionally these things happen in a match. There is no god who gives you exactly what you want. But we always learn from our innings and our matches. I’m sure what happened today won’t happen in the next match,” she added.

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Smriti, who took over the captaincy at the start of the series, will also be keen to lead from the front.

Niki, meanwhile, made an impressive start to her senior international career, showing composure and sound strokeplay under pressure.

“Niki played really well. Honestly, it didn’t seem at all like she was making her debut. It felt like she had played quite a few matches in the past, for the country.

“This confidence from a youngster is remarkable — you’re building a partnership when the team needs it, winning the match from a tough situation. I’m sure she’ll take a lot of confidence from this match,” Deepti said.

India’s bowling unit did a reasonable job to restrict Zimbabwe to 114 for five, although the visitor will draw confidence from the contributions of opener Kelis Ndhlovu and Sharne Mayers.

Zimbabwe will also hope Gwanzura can build on her impressive three-wicket haul, which exposed India’s vulnerability against spin during the PowerPlay.