IND-W vs ZIM-W 2nd T20I: Check India Women’s predicted playing XI, with Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and Niki Prasad in focus ahead of the Raipur clash.
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Check India Women’s predicted playing XI for the 2nd T20I (Photo: BCCI Women/X)
India Women will look to continue their winning run when they take on Zimbabwe Women in the second T20I of the three-match series in Raipur on Sunday, October 18The match will begin at 7 PM IST at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium.
India won the opening match by four wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the seriesHowever, the team had to work hard for the victory after losing four wickets for just 19 runs while chasing Zimbabwe’s total of 114/5Deepti Sharma and debutant Niki Prasad rescued the innings with an important partnership.
With another win enough to seal the series, India are expected to stick with a largely unchanged playing XIThe top order, in particular, will be eager to deliver a stronger performance.
Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana to lead the batting
Shafali Verma is expected to open the innings alongside captain Smriti MandhanaShafali has been among India’s leading T20I run-scorers in 2026, collecting 867 runs at an average of 37.69 and a strike rate of 162.96, including one century and seven half-centuries.
Mandhana, who had a quiet outing in the first match, will aim to make a bigger contributionShe has scored 774 T20I runs in 2026 at an average of 36.85, with one century and five fifties.
Anushka Sharma is likely to continue at No3The young batter will be keen to make the most of another opportunity after being dismissed cheaply in the series opener.
Harmanpreet Kaur, Niki Prasad and Richa Ghosh in middle order
Former India captain Harmanpreet Kaur is expected to bat at No4 and provide stability to the middle order.
Niki Prasad could retain her place at No5 after an impressive T20I debutHer unbeaten 39, along with Deepti Sharma’s 49, helped India recover from early trouble and complete the chase.
Wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh is likely to bat at No6 and provide power in the closing oversDeepti is expected to follow at No7, offering India an important all-round option.
India’s bowling attack
Arundhati Reddy, Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma and Kranti Gaud are expected to complete the bowling attack.
Shree Charani conceded just 14 runs and took one wicket in the first T20I, while Nandani claimed two wickets for 11 runs in her four oversKranti also made an early impact by taking a wicket in the opening over.
India will hope their bowlers maintain that control and prevent Zimbabwe from building a competitive total.
India women predicted playing XI vs Zimbabwe Women, 2nd T20I
India Women: Smriti Mandhana (C), Shafali Verma, Anushka Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Niki Prasad, Richa Ghosh (WK), Deepti Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma, Kranti Gaud.
The final playing XI will be confirmed at the tossZimbabwe will be looking to improve their performance to level the contest while India will be looking to improve their batting and seal the series.
