India Completes Clean Sweep Against Zimbabwe in Third T20 Match

Raipur, October 20 (Daily Kiran) : The Indian women’s cricket team triumphed over Zimbabwe in the third T20 match, winning by 92 runs and completing a clean sweep of the series with a 3-0 victory. The match took place at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur.

Winning the toss, India chose to bat first, posting a formidable total of 216 runs for the loss of seven wickets. Shefali Verma and Anushka Sharma set the tone with a brisk opening partnership, scoring 54 runs in just 32 balls. Anushka contributed 28 runs off 20 balls, hitting five boundaries before being dismissed at a score of 68.

Harmanpreet Kaur then entered the fray, forming a significant partnership with Shefali for the third wicket. Together, they amassed 84 runs in 41 balls, propelling India to a total of 152 runs. Shefali scored a remarkable 69 runs off 37 balls, featuring five sixes and six fours.

Kaur continued to dominate the innings, adding 28 runs with Richa Ghosh (1) for the fourth wicket in just 14 balls. The former captain remained unbeaten at 91 runs off 41 balls, including five sixes and ten fours. For Zimbabwe, Bilweld Biza was the standout bowler, taking three wickets, while Nomvelo Sibanda, Nyasha Gwanzura, and Tendai Mukushan each claimed one wicket.

In response, Zimbabwe struggled to keep pace, finishing their innings at 124 runs for the loss of seven wickets. The visitors lost their first wicket on the very first ball, with Kelis Ndhlovu out for a duck. They quickly found themselves at 12 runs for two wickets after Modester Mupachikwa was dismissed for one.

Despite the early setbacks, opener Sharn Myers and Biza attempted to stabilize the innings, adding 82 runs for the third wicket over 78 balls. However, their efforts slowed the scoring rate, and Zimbabwe could only manage 124 runs by the end of their 20 overs. Myers scored 60 runs off 49 balls, while Biza contributed 44 runs from 50 balls. None of the other batters reached double figures.

Nandini Sharma was the star bowler for India, taking three wickets for just 18 runs in four overs. Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Deepti Sharma, and Niki Prasad each chipped in with one wicket.