Daijiworld Media Network - Raipur

Raipur, Oct 16: India women’s vice-captain Shafali Verma has called for a combination of aggressive cricket and smart decision-making as the team prepares to face Zimbabwe in a six-match bilateral series ahead of the Women’s Champions Trophy at home in February.

India will host Zimbabwe in their first-ever bilateral series, beginning with three T20 Internationals in Raipur, followed by three One-Day Internationals in Vadodara. The series will provide India an opportunity to build momentum and improve their preparations for the upcoming ICC tournament.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the opening match, Shafali said the team was focused on playing fearless cricket while making better decisions on the field. She added that regular team meetings had helped players understand their roles and that the side aimed to improve with every series.

The series will also mark Smriti Mandhana’s first assignment as India captain across formats following Harmanpreet Kaur’s departure from the role. Shafali has been appointed vice-captain of the T20I side, while Deepti Sharma will serve as deputy in the ODI format.

Shafali acknowledged Harmanpreet’s contribution to the growth of women’s cricket in India, crediting the former captain for helping shape the team during her tenure.

The 21-year-old also spoke about the lessons she learnt during her time away from the national team last year. She said the break gave her an opportunity to assess her shortcomings and work on consistency, fitness and mental strength.

Shafali added that she had focused on improving her skills during training in 2025, particularly against short-pitched deliveries, playing back-foot shots against spinners and executing pull shots. She believes the improvements are now beginning to reflect in her performances.

The Zimbabwe series is expected to give India valuable match practice as the team looks to strengthen its approach and build consistency ahead of the Champions Trophy.