India Women thrash Zimbabwe by 92 runs (Image: BCCI/X)
India’s women turned Raipur into a six-hitting spectacle, with Shafali Verma and Harmanpreet Kaur unleashing a batting assault before Nandani Sharma’s three-wicket haul sealed a 92-run victory over Zimbabwe in the third T20I on Tuesday.
The emphatic win completed a 3-0 series sweep for the Women in Blue, extended their winning streak in the format to 11 matches and handed them their biggest T20I victory by run margin on home soil.Shafali smashed 69 off 37 balls, while Harmanpreet rolled back the years with an unbeaten 91 off just 41 deliveries as India piled up 216/7 after opting to bat. Zimbabwe showed greater resistance than in their previous outings, with Sharne Mayers scoring a fighting 60, but Nandani’s 3/18 ensured the visitors finished at 124/7 in their 20 overs.India’s victory also marked Zimbabwe’s 23rd consecutive defeat in women’s T20Is, underlining the gulf between the sides despite a spirited individual effort from Mayers.
Shafali, Anushka provide explosive start
With India already leading the series 2-0, Smriti Mandhana opted to bat first and used the opportunity to give the middle order more time in the middle. Anushka Sharma was promoted to open alongside Shafali, while Mandhana held herself back.The move paid dividends as the opening pair added 54 runs off just 32 balls.
Anushka struck 28 off 20 deliveries, including a powerful six off Tendai Makusha in the fifth over, while Shafali continued her aggressive approach at the other end.The opener brought up her second consecutive half-century, peppering the leg-side boundary with a series of sixes over deep midwicket. She also used the sweep effectively against the spinners, ensuring Zimbabwe struggled to build pressure during the powerplay and middle overs.Shafali eventually departed for 69 off 37 balls, having provided India with the platform for another imposing total.
Harmanpreet returns to destructive best
Harmanpreet took charge after Shafali’s dismissal, producing a commanding innings that showcased her power-hitting at its best. The India captain struck an unbeaten 91 off 41 balls, including five sixes, as the hosts maintained their scoring momentum.The 37-year-old had struggled to find her rhythm on the slower surfaces during the Women’s Asia Cup and had limited opportunities to bat during India’s triumphant Asian Games campaign in Japan.
Tuesday’s innings offered a timely reminder of her ability to dominate an attack when conditions favour stroke-making.India accelerated spectacularly at the death, plundering 62 runs in the final five overs despite losing four wickets. Their total of 216/7 left Zimbabwe facing a steep challenge.
Mayers fights back, but Zimbabwe fall short
Zimbabwe’s chase suffered an immediate setback when Kelis Ndhlovu was dismissed for a first-ball duck. Mayers, however, refused to let the innings drift, counterattacking with a muscular knock that kept the visitors in the contest for a period.She scored 60 off 49 balls, striking four boundaries and four sixes, and found support from Beloved Biza as Zimbabwe attempted to rebuild after the early loss. Mayers’ innings was the standout contribution in a chase that otherwise lacked sustained partnerships.
India rotated their bowling resources, using seven bowlers during the innings. Nandani emerged as the pick of the attack, taking three wickets for 18 runs to break Zimbabwe’s resistance and prevent any late surge.Zimbabwe eventually closed on 124/7, finishing 92 runs short of the target.The victory gave India a 3-0 clean sweep in the three-match series and extended their winning run in women’s T20Is to 11 matches, including their campaigns in the Asia Cup in the UAE and the Asian Games in Japan.The result was also India's biggest home victory by run margin in the format. For Mandhana, it marked an impressive start as permanent captain.