Smriti Mandhana era begins as India look to fix T20 flaws against Zimbabwe
India will use six T20Is to test combinations and fix short-format flaws before the Women's Champions Trophy, Mandhana said.
- On Friday, October 16, Smriti Mandhana began her tenure as India's full-time captain, leading the team to a four-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the opening T20I in Raipur.
- Mandhana succeeded Harmanpreet Kaur as full-time captain following a BCCI leadership review, with the three-match T20I series serving as preparation for the inaugural Women's Champions Trophy.
- Recovering from 19/4, debutant Niki Prasad and all-rounder Deepti Sharma forged an 82-run partnership off 63 balls, pulling India out of trouble to secure the nervy four-wicket win.
- India took an unassailable 2-0 series lead on Sunday, October 18, after a nine-wicket victory, while both teams honored former umpire Sarah Dambanevana with black armbands during the series.
- Mandhana, approaching 5,000 T20I runs, will aim to refine team combinations before the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe begins in Vadodara on October 23.
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