History arrives in Raipur this week. India Women and Zimbabwe Women are playing their first-ever bilateral series, and the second T20I follows on Sunday, 18 October, at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium. It is also the early stretch of Smriti Mandhana’s tenure as full-time India captain. The hosts arrive on a long winning run, while Zimbabwe are chasing their first T20I win of the year. This preview covers the match details, form, squads, probable XIs, key players, conditions, and a prediction.
Series and Match Details
Six matches make up the tour. Three T20Is take place in Raipur on 16, 18, and 20 October. Three ODIs follow in Vadodara on 23, 25, and 28 October, and those count toward the ICC Women’s Championship.
The second T20I at a glance:
- Fixture: India Women vs Zimbabwe Women, 2nd T20I
- Date: Sunday, 18 October 2026
- Start time: 7:00 PM IST (1:30 PM GMT), a night match
- Venue: Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur
- Captains: Smriti Mandhana (India), Josephine Nkomo (Zimbabwe)
- Broadcast in India: Star Sports Network and JioHotstar
The two nations had never met in women’s international cricket at any level before this tour, so no head-to-head record exists yet.
Form Guide
India come in with plenty of momentum. They won the Asian Games gold in Aichi-Nagoya last month, and they have won eight T20Is in a row since a loss to Australia in June. Mandhana led India in 18 T20Is as interim captain, winning 11, losing six, with one no result. Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down from the captaincy, and Shafali Verma serves as vice-captain.
Zimbabwe’s form tells a different story. They have lost all 18 T20Is they have played this year, and their last T20I win came against Namibia in September 2025. They lost T20I series to West Indies and New Zealand, and South Africa swept the early matches of a five-match series in Zimbabwe in September. There is one bright spot, though. Zimbabwe beat West Indies by four wickets in Harare on 27 September, their first win in the ICC Women’s Championship.
India Team News and Probable XI
The big absence is Jemimah Rodrigues, who is recovering from a right hamstring tear. Her exit leaves the No. 3 spot open, and Niki Prasad and Anushka Sharma are among the options. Prasad, Jintimani Kalita, and Nandni Sharma are the newer faces in Mandhana’s squads.
The India squad: Smriti Mandhana (c), Shafali Verma (vc), Niki Prasad, Harmanpreet Kaur, Anushka Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), G Kamalini (wk), Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Sree Charani, Nandni Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Jintimani Kalita, and Minnu Mani.
A projected XI from that group reads as follows:
- Smriti Mandhana (c)
- Shafali Verma
- Niki Prasad
- Harmanpreet Kaur
- Richa Ghosh (wk)
- G Kamalini
- Deepti Sharma
- Arundhati Reddy
- Sree Charani
- Nandni Sharma
- Kranti Gaud
Zimbabwe Team News and Probable XI
Zimbabwe kept the same 15-player squad that beat West Indies, and Nkomo leads the group on its first tour of India. The batting leans on Modester Mupachikwa, Sharne Mayers, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Kelis Ndhlovu, and Beloved Biza, with Nkomo and Nomvelo Sibanda offering international experience.
The Zimbabwe squad: Josephine Nkomo (c), Beloved Biza, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Kelis Ndhlovu, Michelle Mavunga, Francisca Chipare, Olinder Chare, Kudzai Chigora, Nyasha Gwanzura, Nomvelo Sibanda, Loryn Phiri, Chiyedza Dhururu, Modester Mupachikwa, Tendai Makusha, and Sharne Mayers.
A projected XI could look like this:
- Kelis Ndhlovu
- Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano
- Sharne Mayers
- Michelle Mavunga
- Modester Mupachikwa
- Beloved Biza
- Josephine Nkomo (c)
- Nomvelo Sibanda
- Nyasha Gwanzura
- Loryn Phiri
- Tendai Makusha
Both XIs are projections from the squads. Teams are confirmed at the toss.
Key Players to Watch
A few names could shape the game:
- Smriti Mandhana (India): She has pushed her T20I strike rate to a career-high 148.25 in 2026, and she opens the batting as captain.
- Shafali Verma (India): Her fearless powerplay hitting can take a game away early.
- Harmanpreet Kaur (India): Freed from captaincy, she can focus on explosive middle-order batting.
- Sree Charani (India): She leads the world in T20I wickets this year, with 47 in 23 matches.
- Kelis Ndhlovu (Zimbabwe): She has scored 320 T20I runs this year, the most by any Zimbabwe batter, including 63 off 48 against West Indies.
- Josephine Nkomo (Zimbabwe): The captain brings experience to a young group.
- Beloved Biza (Zimbabwe): She was the leading run-scorer in the ODI series against West Indies.
Pitch and Conditions
The Raipur stadium has hosted only two T20Is, with one win each for the side batting first and the side chasing. First-innings scores averaged 191, and second-innings scores 181 across those matches, so batters have found runs here. The match starts at 7:00 PM local time under lights, which makes the toss a factor. Check the local forecast closer to the start.
Match Prediction
India are the strong favourites. They have deeper batting, a match-winning bowling attack led by Charani, home advantage, and the confidence of a long winning streak. Even without Rodrigues, the top order has the firepower to post or chase a big total.
Zimbabwe have shown fight in recent weeks, though. Their win over West Indies proves they can compete when the batting clicks. Their best route to an upset runs through these factors:
- Ndhlovu and Mugeri-Tiripano seeing off the new ball.
- Tight bowling in the powerplay to slow Mandhana and Verma.
- A competitive score of 150 or more on the board.
India should win and take control of the series, but a stronger Zimbabwe batting display could narrow the margin.
Conclusion
A debut bilateral series and a new India captaincy give this contest extra weight beyond the result. This match will set the tone for the upcoming matches. That is why many fans across India are excited! Our website, PB77, covers match previews like this one throughout the cricket season. Follow PB77 for more updates and betting insiders!
FAQs
When is the India Women vs Zimbabwe Women 2nd T20I?
The match takes place on Sunday, 18 October 2026, at 7:00 PM IST. It is held at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur.
Where can I watch the match in India?
Star Sports Network broadcasts the series, and JioHotstar carries the live stream. Check local listings for other countries.
Who captains each team?
Smriti Mandhana leads India as full-time captain. Josephine Nkomo captains Zimbabwe.
Is Jemimah Rodrigues playing?
No, Rodrigues is recovering from a right hamstring tear. Her absence leaves the No. 3 slot open for India.
Have India and Zimbabwe played before?
No, this is their first bilateral series and their first meeting in women’s international cricket. The tour has three T20Is and three ODIs.