Sports Correspondent
India survived a spirited Zimbabwe fightback to secure a four-wicket victory in the first women’s Twenty20 International, but captain Smriti Mandhana admitted her side fell short of the standards they had set for themselves.
Zimbabwe made India work hard for the victory, pushing the hosts in a contest that exposed shortcomings in the visitors’ performance despite the eventual result.
Mandhana acknowledged that India had not played the way they wanted, underlining the need for improvement as the series progresses.
“We didn’t play the way we wanted,” Mandhana said after the match, reflecting on a performance in which India were forced to battle rather than cruise to victory.
The result nevertheless gave India an early advantage in the series, while Zimbabwe could draw encouragement from their ability to challenge a more experienced opponent.
The close contest offered Zimbabwe a measure of progress, demonstrating their capacity to put pressure on India and keep the outcome uncertain deep into the chase.
India will, however, be keen to address the weaknesses exposed by Zimbabwe before their next encounter, particularly after being made to fight for a result they would have expected to secure more comfortably.
The opening match provided Zimbabwe with valuable experience against one of the leading sides in women’s cricket, while India were left with lessons to take forward despite beginning the series with a win.
The victory came in the opening match of a three-game T20I series, with India taking a 1-0 lead. Zimbabwe’s Nyasha Gwanzura was the standout bowler, claiming three wickets for 18 runs, while Deepti Sharma and Prasad produced the decisive partnership.
