IND W Vs ZIM W 1st T20I Toss Update: Smriti Mandhana Wins First Toss As Captain & Opts To Bowl; Niki Prasad Makes Debut
· Free Press Journal
Smriti Mandhana won the toss in the very first game as full time captain as India Women opted to field first in the 1st t20I against Zimbabwe in Raipur. Niki Prasad makes her debut while Anushka Sharma also returns to the XI.
Smriti Mandhana Shares Heartfelt Message For Harmanpreet Kaur After Taking Over As India Women's CaptainToss
Captain Smriti Mandhana wins her first toss as #TeamIndia's full-time T20I Captain
Team India elected to bowl first.
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/ZebQdoQIRo#INDvZIM | @mflone_ pic.twitter.com/Ibd4Mc1MtQVisit michezonews.co.za for more information.
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) October 16, 2026
India will face Zimbabwe for the first time in international cricket, with the series giving Smriti Mandhana an opportunity to begin preparations for the ICC Women's Champions Trophy 2027, which will be held in India. Taking over as captain, Mandhana said she wanted to set standards that future generations of Indian players could follow.
India have six T20I matches before the tournament, with three against Zimbabwe and three against South Africa, apart from the Women's Premier League (WPL). Mandhana said these fixtures would help the team finalise its style of play and identify the roles of individual players.