India Women will begin their three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe Women on Friday, October 16, 2026, with the IND-W vs ZIM-W opening match starting at 7:00 PM IST at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur.
India last featured in the Asian Games Women’s Cricket Competition, where they beat Sri Lanka in the final to win the gold medal. They will look to carry that winning momentum into the home series.
Zimbabwe Women last played a three-match T20I series at home against West Indies Women in October and suffered a 3-0 whitewash. They will aim to put that result behind them and deliver a stronger performance against India.
IND-W vs ZIM-W Match Preview
IND-W Team Preview
India Women come into the series after beating Sri Lanka Women by 147 runs in the final of the Asian Games Women’s Cricket Competition on September 22, 2026. They will look to continue their winning run in the opening T20I against Zimbabwe Women.
With the bat, Shafali Verma has scored 511 runs in her last 10 matches at an average of 63.88 and a strike rate of 175.6. Smriti Mandhana has also been in good form, scoring 375 runs in 10 matches. Experienced batter Harmanpreet Kaur brings valuable international experience, having scored 4,346 runs in 188 T20I innings.
With the ball, Shree Charani has taken 24 wickets in her last 10 matches at an economy rate of 4.02, while Deepti Sharma has picked up 22 wickets in the same period. Kranti Gaud has taken 11 wickets in 22 T20I matches and gives India another option in the bowling attack.
India’s strong recent form and depth in both batting and bowling make them a tough side to beat in the series opener.
ZIM-W Team Preview
Zimbabwe Women come into the series after losing the third T20I against West Indies Women by eight wickets in Harare on October 7, 2026. Zimbabwe scored 142/6, and West Indies chased down the target in 17 overs to complete a 3-0 series whitewash.
With the bat, Kelis Ndhlovu has scored 207 runs in her last 10 matches at an average of 20.7 and a strike rate of 111.29. Michelle Mavunga has added 146 runs in nine matches. Captain Josephine Nkomo brings experience to the batting unit, having scored 675 runs in 53 T20I innings.
With the ball, Mavunga has taken seven wickets in nine matches, while Nyasha Gwanzura has picked up four wickets in eight matches at an economy rate of 7.83. Zimbabwe will need more consistency from their bowlers to challenge India’s strong batting lineup. Zimbabwe will aim to bounce back from their recent defeats and put up a stronger fight in the opening T20I.
IND-W vs ZIM-W Probable Playing XI
India Women Probable Playing XI: Smriti Mandhana (C), Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh (WK), Gunalan Kamalini, Deepti Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Minnu Mani, Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma
Zimbabwe Women Probable Playing XI: Kelis Ndhlovu, Modester Mupachikwa (WK), Josephine Nkomo (C), Beloved Biza, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Michelle Mavunga, Sharne Mayers, Nyasha Gwanzura, Nomvelo Sibanda, Francisca Chipare, Kudzai Chigora
Weather & Pitch Report
The weather in Raipur is expected to be partly cloudy during the match, with temperatures around 28.9°C, humidity at 67% and winds of 8 km/h. There is a 60% chance of rain, which could lead to interruptions or delays.
Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium has recorded an average first-innings score of 191 and a second-innings average of 181 across the two T20 matches played here, pointing to a high-scoring batting surface. In the last 10 domestic matches at the venue, spinners have taken 34 wickets and pacers 22, so spin could play an important role.
IND-W vs ZIM-W Winning Prediction
India Women go into this contest as favourites, having won each of their last five matches, including the Asian Games final against Sri Lanka Women to claim the gold medal. Their stronger squad depth and greater international experience give them an advantage with both bat and ball. Zimbabwe Women, on the other hand, have lost their last five matches, including a 3-0 whitewash against West Indies Women. With India in excellent form, playing at home, and Zimbabwe struggling for results, the hosts look the stronger side heading into this first-ever T20I meeting.
