{
  "id": 14964529,
  "title": "IND W Vs ZIM W 1st T20I Toss Update: Smriti Mandhana Wins First Toss As Captain & Opts To Bowl; Niki Prasad Makes Debut",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/ind-w-vs-zim-w-1st-t20i-toss-update-smriti-mandhana-wins-first-toss",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-16T13:06:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/ind-w-vs-zim-w-1st-t20i-toss-update-smriti-mandhana-wins-first-toss-as-captain-opts-to-bowl-niki-prasad-makes-debut"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the inaugural T20I, India Women secured the toss and elected to field first against Zimbabwe in the match held in Raipur. Captain Smriti Mandhana opted for the fielding strategy. Niki Prasad made her T20I debut for India Women, while Anushka Sharma reunited with the team. Smriti Mandhana extended a supportive message to former teammate Harmanpreet Kaur upon assuming her role as the captain of India Women. The series marked the maiden international cricket encounter for India Women against Zimbabwe, serving as an opportunity for Mandhana to set benchmarks for future generations of Indian players. Mandhana elaborated that these preliminary T20I fixtures, including three against Zimbabwe and three against South Africa, coupled with the Women's Premier League (WPL), would aid the team in refining their playing style and determining individual player roles.",
  "summary": "Smriti Mandhana won the toss in the very first game as full time captain as India Women opted to field first in the 1st t20I against Zimbabwe in Raipur. Niki Prasad makes her debut while Anushka Sharma also returns to the XI. Smriti Mandhana Shares Heartfelt Message For Harmanpreet Kaur After Taking Over As India Women's Captain India will face Zimbabwe for the first time in international…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ESPNcricinfo",
        "title": "Niki Prasad on India debut as Mandhana opts to chase against Zimbabwe",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/niki-prasad-on-india-debut-as-mandhana-opts-to-chase-against-zimbabwe",
        "published": "2026-10-16T13:31:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}