The opening T20 match of the three-match series between the Indian and Zimbabwean women's cricket teams has commenced at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur. Smriti Mandhana is beginning her new assignment as the regular captain of the Indian team in this fixture, having won the toss and elected to field first. After being put in to bat, the Zimbabwe women's team posted a total of 114 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in their 20 overs. Before the match got underway, players from both squads gathered on the field for the national anthem and observed a moment of silence.
Paying Tribute to Sarah Dambanewana
During the match, players from both sides took to the field wearing black armbands on their sleeves. Explaining the gesture, the Board of Control for Cricket in India shared details through a post on the social media platform X. According to the board, the Indian women's cricket team, the Zimbabwe team, and the match officials wore black armbands to mark and honor the recent passing of former Zimbabwe cricketer and umpire Sarah Dambanewana, alongside observing a minute of silence. The board shared an update on X regarding this tribute, detailing the memorial gesture observed ahead of the game.
Zimbabwe Innings and Match Progress
This fixture marks a historic milestone as the Zimbabwe women's team is playing against India in any format of international cricket for the very first time, making this their maiden tour to the country. Invited to bat first after losing the toss, the visiting side put up 114 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in 20 overs. Opening batter Kelis Ndhlovu played a resilient knock of 42 runs for her side. Meanwhile, lower-order batter Sharne Meyers played an unbeaten innings of 43 runs, anchored by 4 fours and 2 sixes in the death overs. On the bowling front for India, Nandini Sharma emerged as the pick of the bowlers by claiming 2 wickets.
