New Delhi, Oct. 16 -- The Indian women's cricket team will begin a new era under captain Smriti Mandhana when they host Zimbabwe for a three-match T20I series in Raipur starting on Friday.

This will be the first-ever bilateral series between India and Zimbabwe. Mandhana took over as India's full-time captain from Harmanpreet Kaur earlier in October and has previously led the Women in Blue in limited-overs cricket.

Harmanpreet, though, will continue to play for India. Her presence alongside Mandhana gives India an experienced campaigner as the team transitions to a new leadership structure.

Shafali Verma has been named the T20I vice-captain, with the opening batter expected to play an important role at the top of the order.

India will ...