India women thrash Zimbabwe by nine wickets to seal 2-0 T20I series lead

India defeated Zimbabwe by nine wickets in the second women's T20I at Raipur on Sunday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Shafali Verma scored 55 off 25 balls and Smriti Mandhana remained unbeaten on 47 as India chased down 103 in 8.5 overs.

Zimbabwe were restricted to 102 for eight after electing to bat, with Niki Prasad taking 2 for 7 in her two overs on debut. Nandani Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Deepti Sharma and Shree Charani each claimed one wicket as the Indian bowlers kept the visitors to 20 for one in the powerplay.

Shafali Verma and Mandhana added 96 runs for the first wicket, setting a record for the most 50-plus partnerships between an opening pair in a calendar year. Mandhana said the bowling unit executed its plans better after criticism for conceding 114 in the opening match.