Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana power India women to nine-wicket win, series sealed against Zimbabwe

India's women thrashed Zimbabwe by nine wickets in the second T20 International in Raipur on Sunday, sealing the three-match series with a game to spare.

Chasing 103, India raced to 104 for one in just 8.5 overs, finishing with 67 balls left. Opener Shafali Verma struck 55 off 25 balls with six fours and four sixes, and captain Smriti Mandhana was unbeaten on 47 off 25 deliveries. The pair added 96 for the first wicket before Shafali fell with the target almost reached.

Bowlers set it up

Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bat but struggled to score freely, managing only 20 runs in the powerplay. They finished on 102 for eight from their 20 overs. Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano top-scored with 34 off 32 balls and Josephine Nkomo added 27 off 35. Opener Kelis Ndhlovu was bowled by Nandani Sharma for an 11-ball duck, setting the tone for a slow start from which Zimbabwe never really recovered.

Niki Prasad, who helped rescue India on debut in the series opener, was India's most effective bowler with two for seven in two overs. Kranti Gaud, Nandani Sharma, Deepti Sharma and Shree Charani picked up a wicket each, with Deepti conceding just 13 runs in her three overs and Gaud 15 in her four. Anushka Sharma was not out on one when the winning runs came.

Shafali's big year

The half-century was Shafali's ninth score of 50 or more in women's T20Is in 2026, which Cricinfo data cited by NewsBytes says is the most by any player in a calendar year. Her aggressive starts at the top have been a key feature of India's batting this season.

India had won the first match by four wickets on Friday. The third and final T20I will also be played in Raipur on Tuesday, giving the team management a chance to test more of its bench strength.