India recovered from a difficult position to beat Zimbabwe by four wickets in the first women’s T20I on Friday. Debutant Niki Prasad and experienced all-rounder Deepti Sharma led the fightback after the hosts lost four wickets for just 19 runs while chasing a target of 115.

Niki remained unbeaten on 39 off 35 balls, while Deepti scored 49 off 37 deliveries. The pair added 82 runs for the fifth wicket to bring India back into the contest. India eventually reached the target in 15.4 overs, handing Smriti Mandhana a winning start to her captaincy tenure.

Zimbabwe had earlier posted 114 for five in their 20 overs, with Kelis Ndhlovu and Sharne Mayers making important contributions.

ALSO READ: Explained: Why Shubman Gil, KL Rahul Will Miss Final Two ODIs Against New Zealand

Nyasha Gwanzura Puts India Under Pressure

India’s chase got off to a poor start as off-spinner Nyasha Gwanzura struck three times during the powerplay. Smriti Mandhana was the first to depart, falling in the second over after offering a simple catch at square leg.

Anushka Sharma became Gwanzura’s second victim when she attempted to play an attacking shot but was caught at point. The dismissal of former captain Harmanpreet Kaur in the third over added to India’s problems.

With four wickets down for only 19 runs, India needed a steady partnership to avoid an upset. Niki and Deepti showed patience by playing carefully and refusing to let the pressure dictate their approach.

ALSO READ: Ind vs WI: Bhuvneshwar Kumar Returns To Team After 4 Years; Replaces Arshdeep For Do-Or-Die Clash Against West Indies

Niki Prasad makes memorable debut

Niki, who guided India to the Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup crown, was composed on her senior international debut. She was not in a hurry to score but was more focused on staying at the crease and building a partnership with Deepti.

The two batters gradually turned the tide, picking their chances and taking chances against the Zimbabwe attack. Their 82-run stand brought India within touching distance of victory, with Niki finishing the match by hitting the winning runs.

After the game, Niki said she had prepared herself for the responsibility of batting in a difficult situation.

Kelis Ndhlovu, Sharne Mayers Lift Zimbabwe

Earlier, Zimbabwe struggled to score freely against India’s bowlers but finished on 114 for five. Opener Kelis Ndhlovu top-scored with 42 off 44 balls, while Sharne Mayers provided a late boost with an unbeaten 43 off 33 deliveries.

Ndhlovu looked comfortable early in her innings, using cuts and pulls to find the boundaries and driving well through the off side. She helped Zimbabwe reach 60 for one after 10 overs but found scoring increasingly difficult as the innings progressed.

The left-hander managed only two runs from her final 12 deliveries before Arundhati Reddy bowled her. Her opening partner, Beloved Biza, had already departed in the first over after missing a straight delivery from Kranti Gaud.

Ndhlovu and Modester Mupachikwa added 53 runs for the second wicket. Mupachikwa scored 16 off 26 balls before giving Shree Charani a simple catch in the 11th over, leaving Zimbabwe at 60 for two.

Zimbabwe’s slow scoring and the number of dot balls restricted their progress for much of the innings. Mayers, however, made good use of the final overs, hitting two sixes and four boundaries to help the visitors reach a competitive total.

The match marked the first bilateral women’s cricket series between India and Zimbabwe, with the hosts taking a 1-0 lead in the series.