IND vs ZIM, 2nd T20I: Nandani Sharma strikes to give India early breakthrough

IND-W vs ZIM-W Live Score: Deepti backs India’s aggressive approach after scare

Despite India's early batting collapse in the first T20I, Deepti Sharma has backed the team's commitment to an aggressive style of cricket. India were reduced to 19 for four before Deepti and debutant Niki Prasad put together an 82-run partnership to guide the hosts to a four-wicket win. Deepti acknowledged that things do not always go as planned in a match, but said the team learns from every outing. India will look to maintain their approach while avoiding another early setback against Zimbabwe in Raipur.

17:35 (IST) Oct 18

India Women vs Zimbabwe Women Live Score: Gwanzura exposes India’s weakness against spin

Zimbabwe off-spinner Nyasha Gwanzura made an immediate impact in the first T20I, taking three wickets in the powerplay and putting India's batting line-up under pressure. Her spell played a major role in reducing the hosts to 19 for four before Niki Prasad and Deepti Sharma stepped in with an 82-run partnership. Zimbabwe will hope Gwanzura can build on that performance in Sunday's second match. India, meanwhile, will need to find a better way to handle spin early in the innings.

17:34 (IST) Oct 18

IND-W vs ZIM-W Live Score: India’s top four face a test against Zimbabwe

India's leading batters will be eager to make a stronger contribution in the second women's T20I after a difficult outing in the series opener. Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Anushka Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur all fell for single-digit scores, leaving India reeling at 19 for four. The hosts eventually won by four wickets, but they will want to avoid relying on another recovery effort. A more assured start from the top four would give India a better platform against Zimbabwe in Raipur.

🏏

Cricket Match Prediction

Who will win the toss today?

Tap to make your prediction

17:34 (IST) Oct 18

India Women vs Zimbabwe Women Live Score: Deepti, Niki partnership gives India a way out

India found a way to turn a difficult situation around in the first T20I, thanks to a match-winning 82-run partnership between debutant Niki Prasad and experienced all-rounder Deepti Sharma. The pair came together after India slipped to 19 for four and helped the hosts recover to secure a four-wicket victory. Their stand showed how important partnerships can be when the top order fails. India will hope the rest of the batting line-up can offer greater support in Sunday's second T20I in Raipur.

17:33 (IST) Oct 18

IND-W vs ZIM-W Live Score: India look to avoid another top-order collapse

India will look for a more assured batting display when they take on Zimbabwe in the second women's T20 International in Raipur on Sunday. The hosts survived a major scare in the series opener, recovering from 19 for four to secure a four-wicket victory. However, the early collapse exposed a weakness India will be keen to address. Captain Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Anushka Sharma and former skipper Harmanpreet Kaur all fell for single-digit scores, leaving the team in trouble.

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.

Mandhana, 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."