India, Oct. 16 -- India Women host Zimbabwe Women in the opening T20I of their three-match bilateral series at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur.

The fixture marks the official beginning of Smriti Mandhana's tenure as India's full-time captain.

With the hosts fielding an experienced core and Zimbabwe chasing a spirited performance, fan interest is high.

Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium Pitch Report

The pitch at Raipur offers a sporting surface that provides true bounce for stroke-makers alongside early movement under lights.

Fast bowlers can extract seam movement during the powerplay, while spinners find consistent turn as the surface slows up in the middle overs.

Significant evening dew ...