India Women elect to bat in 3rd T20I vs Zimbabwe, Prema Rawat replaces Charani
Synopsis
India Women have already won the T20I series, but captain Smriti Mandhana is pushing for a statement 180-plus total in Raipur on Tuesday — with Prema Rawat handed a chance after Sree Charani's rest. A clean sweep sets up the ODI leg in Vadodara starting 23 October.
Key Takeaways
India Women won the toss and elected to bat in the 3rd T20I against Zimbabwe Women at Raipur on 20 October 2026 .
Captain Smriti Mandhana set a target of 180-plus , citing the need for positive T20 cricket.
Prema Rawat replaces Sree Charani , who has been rested for this match.
India had already clinched the three-match T20I series with wins in the first two games.
A three-match ODI series at Vadodara follows, with matches on 23 , 26 , and 28 October .
India Women won the toss and elected to bat first against Zimbabwe Women in the third and final Women's T20I of the series at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on Tuesday, 20 October. With the three-match series already sealed, India are chasing a clean sweep in the decider.
Mandhana's Batting-First Call
India captain Smriti Mandhana explained that the decision to bat was driven by a desire to give the middle order valuable time in the middle. 'In T20 cricket, we have to play positively, and I don't have a number in mind, but we are looking at 180-plus,' she said at the toss. Mandhana also flagged the presence of power-hitter Shafali Verma in the line-up as a key factor in targeting a big total, expressing confidence that the side would hit more sixes.
Prema Rawat In, Sree Charani Rested
The only change to India's playing XI sees Prema Rawat come into the side in place of Sree Charani, who has been rested for the match, according to Mandhana. Rawat's inclusion adds a fresh dimension to an already dominant Indian outfit that has won the series with back-to-back victories.
Zimbabwe's Mindset Ahead of the Final T20I
Zimbabwe skipper Josephine Nkomo admitted her side had been keen to bat first and capitalise on the powerplays. 'I don't think the conditions will change much and we are looking to do well in the powerplays. We are trying to rotate the strike more and play positively,' she said. Nkomo stressed that consistent improvement required hard work and a willingness to learn from every game, with Zimbabwe aiming to perform well across all formats going forward.
Series Context and What Comes Next
India had already clinched the three-match T20I series before this fixture, having won the opening two matches. A win on Tuesday would complete a clean sweep. The T20I leg will be followed by a three-match ODI series hosted at Vadodara, with matches scheduled on 23, 26, and 28 October.
Playing XIs
India Women: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana (c), Anushka Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Niki Prasad, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Nandani Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Prema Rawat.
Zimbabwe Women: Kelis Ndhlovu, Beloved Biza, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Sharne Mayers, Josephine Nkomo (c), Nyasha Gwanzura, Modester Mupachikwa (wk), Kudzai Chigora, Loryn Phiri, Tendai Makusha, Nomvelo Sibanda.
Point of View
The real subplot in Raipur is squad rotation and batting depth. Mandhana's explicit 180-plus target and mention of Shafali's six-hitting ability suggest India want a dominant statement before shifting focus to the ODI series. Prema Rawat's inclusion is worth watching — India's bench strength in T20 cricket has been a recurring selection conversation, and how she performs in a dead rubber will inform future picking decisions. Zimbabwe's continued development arc under Nkomo is also a story worth tracking as they build toward multi-format competitiveness.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the toss in the 3rd T20I between India Women and Zimbabwe Women?
India Women won the toss and elected to bat first in the 3rd T20I against Zimbabwe Women at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on 20 October 2026.
Why was Sree Charani not playing in the 3rd T20I?
India captain Smriti Mandhana confirmed that Sree Charani was rested for the match, with Prema Rawat coming into the side as her replacement.
Have India Women already won the T20I series against Zimbabwe?
Yes, India Women had already sealed the three-match T20I series before the third game, having won the first two matches. They are aiming for a clean sweep with a win in Raipur.
What is next after the T20I series between India Women and Zimbabwe?
The T20I series will be followed by a three-match ODI series at Vadodara, with matches scheduled on 23, 26, and 28 October.
What target did Smriti Mandhana set for India Women in the 3rd T20I?
Captain Smriti Mandhana said India were targeting a score of 180-plus, emphasising the need to play positively and make use of Shafali Verma's power-hitting in the line-up.
