Raipur, October 15, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Female spectators will be allowed free entry to all three T20 Internationals between India and Zimbabwe at Raipur’s Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, following a suggestion from Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.
The matches are scheduled for October 16, 18 and 20, with each game beginning at 7 pm. The Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh (CSCS) announced the initiative on its social media accounts on Thursday, encouraging women fans to attend in large numbers and support the Indian team.
According to a source in the state association, Sai suggested free entry for female spectators when CSCS office-bearers invited him to watch the series. The proposal also comes during Navratri, with the association hoping that greater participation by women will add to the festive atmosphere in Raipur.
The invitation was extended by CSCS president Mohan Das, director Vijay Shah, former president Mukul Tiwari, secretary Vintesh Agrawal and other office-bearers.
The series carries additional significance for both teams. It marks the beginning of Smriti Mandhana’s tenure as India’s full-time captain and Zimbabwe’s first bilateral series against India. The matches will also make Raipur a venue for women’s international cricket for the first time.
After the T20I series, the teams will travel to Vadodara for a three-match ODI series scheduled from October 23 to 28.
Separately, Surat has been named as the venue for Elite Group A matches in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy, replacing New Delhi. The change follows ground-availability constraints in the national capital, where Arun Jaitley Stadium is scheduled for drainage and pitch upgrades and Palam Grounds are occupied with Ranji Trophy matches.
CK Pithawala Ground and Lalbhai Contractor Stadium in Surat will host the group matches from October 26.
The Elite Group A lineup comprises defending champions Maharashtra, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Bengal, Goa, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Assam.
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