IND-W vs ZIM-W 1st T20I Highlights: Deepti Sharma 49, Debutant Niki Prasad Rescue India to Clinch Four-Wicket Victory in Raipur

A composed rearguard alliance from seasoned all-rounder Deepti Sharma and debutant Niki Prasad rescued India Women from a precarious top-order collapse on Friday night at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur. Confronting an unexpected scare at 19 for 4 inside four overs while chasing a modest target of 115, the hosts leaned on Deepti's counter-attacking 49 and Prasad's composed 39 to overhaul the target in 15.4 overs. The hard-fought four-wicket victory hands Smriti Mandhana a winning start to her full-time T20I captaincy and gives India a 1-0 lead in the three-match bilateral series.

DailyCricInfo brings you the complete, verified scorecard breakdown, key partnerships, and tactical turning points from the historic first meeting between both nations in Raipur.

Nandani Sharma and Sree Charani Restrict Zimbabwe to 114 for 5

Electing to bowl first after winning the toss under clear skies, India made an immediate breakthrough in the opening over.

Medium-pacer Kranti Gaud struck on the final ball of the first over, trapping opener Beloved Biza leg-before for a four-ball duck. However, young left-hander Kellies Ndlovu and wicketkeeper-batter Modester Mupachikwa absorbed the early pressure, showing good temperament against India's seam attack.

The duo added 53 runs for the second wicket, carrying Zimbabwe to 60 for 1 before debutant left-arm spinner Shree Charani broke the stand in the 11th over, holding a return catch to dismiss Mupachikwa for 16 off 26 deliveries.

Pacer Arundhati Reddy then bowled Ndlovu for a solid 42 off 44 balls, which featured six boundaries.

Veteran middle-order batter Sharne Mayers injected much-needed late acceleration into the innings, hitting four boundaries and two sixes in an unbeaten 43 off 33 balls. But seam bowler Nandani Sharma checked the visitors' momentum in the final over, having Nyasha Gwanzura (9) and Michelle Mavunga (0) stumped by Richa Ghosh off successive deliveries.

Nandani finished with outstanding figures of 2 for 11 in four overs, while Shree Charani returned 1 for 14, restricting Zimbabwe to 114 for 5 in their 20 overs.

Gwanzura Spells Early Trouble as India Stumble to 19 for 4

Chasing 115 on a surface that began to slow down under lights, India's star-studded top order was jolted by disciplined opening bowling from Zimbabwe.

Seamer Michelle Mavunga struck in the second over, having India captain Smriti Mandhana caught for 9 off six balls. In the very same over, Mavunga found the outside edge of Anushka Sharma (4).

Zimbabwe all-rounder Nyasha Gwanzura then produced a devastating double blow.

Gwanzura removed veteran batter Harmanpreet Kaur for 1 in the third over, before trapping Shafali Verma for 4 in the fourth over, reducing India to 19 for 4 in 3.1 overs.

Deepti Sharma and Niki Prasad Anchor Match-Winning 82-Run Stand

With the visitors sensing a massive upset, Deepti Sharma and debutant Niki Prasad combined for a decisive, calm 82-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

Deepti took on the responsibility of rotating strike while punishing loose deliveries through the off side. The experienced all-rounder struck eight boundaries across all sectors of Raipur, compiling 49 off 37 balls at a strike rate of 132.43.

Prasad exhibited remarkable maturity on her international debut, holding her end firm and striking six boundaries in a composed 39 off 35 deliveries.

By the time Olinda Chare dismissed Deepti one run short of her half-century in the 14th over and Gwanzura had Richa Ghosh (7) caught in the 15th, India were within touching distance of the target at 110 for 6.

Prasad and Arundhati Reddy (2 not out) safely completed the formalities, with Prasad hitting the winning boundary in the 16th over to seal the chase at 116 for 6 with 26 balls to spare.

Gwanzura was the pick of the bowlers for Zimbabwe, taking 3 for 18 in three overs.

Deepti Sharma was awarded Player of the Match honors for her game-changing 49 that guided India through the top-order crisis.

India Women hold a 1-0 advantage in the three-match series, with the second T20I scheduled for Sunday, October 18, at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur.

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