Deepti Sharma, debutant Niki Prasad saves India after top order collapse against Zimbabwe

Deepti Sharma and debutant Niki Prasad helped India secure a four-wicket win Experienced Deepti Sharma and debutant Niki Prasad helped India recover from a top-order collapse to seal a four-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the first T20I in Raipur on Friday.Chasing the target of 115, India had to work harder than expected but recovered from the loss of four wickets for just 19 runs to reach the target with 4.2 overs to spare.Smriti Mandhana began her first match as India’s full-time T20I captain with a couple of boundaries, but her dismissal triggered a collapse that left India struggling at 19 for 4 in the fourth over.Mandhana fell for one in the second over, followed by Anushka Sharma. Harmanpreet Kaur’s wicket left India at 19 for 3 before Shafali Verma was dismissed for the same score, leaving the hosts in trouble in the power bowl.Nyasha Gwanzura played a key role in the collapse, dismissing Mandhana, Anushka and Shafali along with their offspring, while Michelle Mavunga sent Harmanpreet back to the pavilion. Having lost all 18 of their T20Is this year, Zimbabwe suddenly had a chance to cause an upset.However, Deepti and debutante Niki had other plans.Deepti scored 49 off 37 balls while Niki hit 39 off 35 as the pair put together an 82-run partnership for the fifth wicket to bring India back into the contest and guide them to victory.Niki eventually sealed the victory with a boundary, with India reaching the target with 4.2 overs to spare. It was a challenging start to her international career as the youngster stepped in as India found themselves in deep trouble before helping lead them to victory.Earlier, Zimbabwe reached 60 for 1 after 10 overs with Kelis Ndhlovu looking comfortable at the wicket. India’s bowlers then kept the score at bay through the middle overs. World number one N Shree Charani finished with figures of 1 for 14 while Nandani Sharma took two wickets in the final to finish with 2 for 11.Ndhlovu scored 42 while Sharne Mayers added an unbeaten 43 to help Zimbabwe finish at 114 for 5.