India Women started their ODI collection towards Zimbabwe Women in emphatic style, producing a commanding batting efficiency within the first ODI in Vadodara on October 23, 2026. Pratika Rawal scored an unbeaten century, whereas Shafali Verma provided the fireworks with a blistering half-century as India chased down Zimbabwe’s target with 9 wickets in hand and 137 balls remaining. Earlier, Zimbabwe fought by a challenging innings, with Beloved Biza’s 62 providing the spine of their batting effort earlier than India’s bowlers introduced the innings beneath control.
Zimbabwe Women, batting first, found runs tough to return by through the early levels of their innings. Modester Mupachikwa and Loryn Phiri opened the batting, however the partnership lasted solely 2.3 overs earlier than Phiri was dismissed for one off 9 balls, caught and bowled by Kranti Gaud. Zimbabwe have been 3/1, and the early breakthrough gave India a chance to place stress on the center order.
Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano joined Mupachikwa and tried to rebuild the innings. The pair added 43 runs earlier than Mugeri-Tiripano was trapped lbw by Shree Charani for 21 off 27 balls, together with three boundaries. Zimbabwe slipped to 46/2 in 10.1 overs. Mupachikwa, in the meantime, continued to battle by the opening section, scoring 25 off 44 deliveries with four boundaries. Her resistance ended at 55/3 in 14.5 overs when Gaud dismissed her, with wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh finishing the catch.
Sharne Mayers then joined Beloved Biza, however their partnership was minimize short when Mayers fell for eight off 12 balls, caught by Sayali Satghare off Charani’s bowling. Zimbabwe have been 70/4 in 17.6 overs, leaving the guests needing a substantial partnership to stabilise their innings. Biza took accountability at one finish as Nyasha Gwanzura joined her within the middle, and the pair step by step labored to enhance Zimbabwe’s place.
Their fifth-wicket stand yielded 43 runs, taking the rating to 113 earlier than Gwanzura was dismissed for 13 off 28 balls. She was caught and bowled by Charani within the 27.3rd over, giving the left-arm spinner her third wicket of the innings. Biza continued to carry the innings collectively, whereas Chiedza Dhururu provided support. However, Dhururu’s keep ended at 10 off 23 deliveries when Gaud bowled her within the 35.1st over, leaving Zimbabwe at 140/6.
With Zimbabwe still searching for stability, Michelle Mavunga provided a well timed counterattack alongside Biza. Mavunga struck 29 off simply 23 balls, hitting three fours and a six, because the pair added 40 runs for the seventh wicket. Their stand briefly lifted Zimbabwe’s scoring fee, however Charani returned to dismiss Mavunga at 180/7 in 42.3 overs, with Jintimani Kalita taking the catch. Charani continued her excellent spell by removing Nomvelo Sibanda for two, trapped lbw by Shafali Verma at 183/8 in 43.6 overs. Biza’s resistance lastly ended at 183/9 in 44.1 overs when Deepti Sharma dismissed her for a well-constructed 62 off 92 balls, together with five boundaries. Tendai Makusha added 10 off 15 deliveries earlier than becoming Sharma’s second wicket, bowled at 197 within the 49.5th over. Olinder Chare remained unbeaten on four off 19 balls, whereas Zimbabwe have been dismissed for 197 in 49.5 overs, with 12 extras additionally contributing to their whole.
India’s bowling attack shared the accountability effectively. Shree Charani was the standout performer, claiming four wickets for simply 23 runs in her 10 overs, together with three maidens. Kranti Gaud picked up three wickets for 42 runs in 10 overs, whereas Deepti Sharma returned figures of two for 44 in 9.5 overs. Shafali Verma additionally contributed with the ball, taking one wicket for 28 runs in eight overs. Sayali Satghare conceded 33 runs in seven overs with out taking a wicket, whereas Jintimani Kalita completed with 23 runs conceded in five overs. The collective effort prevented Zimbabwe from constructing a bigger whole despite Biza’s spectacular innings.
https://x.com/imfemalecricket/standing/2113638692443275768
Chasing 198 for victory, India Women made their intentions clear from the outset. Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal opened the innings with confidence, finding gaps and protecting the scoreboard transferring. The opening pair added 94 runs in 15.3 overs, putting India firmly in charge of the chase. Mandhana contributed 32 off 34 balls, placing four boundaries earlier than she was caught by Biza off Olinder Chare’s bowling. India misplaced their first wicket at 94, however the dismissal did little to sluggish their momentum.
Shafali Verma joined Rawal and remodeled an already comfy chase right into a dominant display of attacking cricket. Verma wasted little time in taking up the Zimbabwe bowlers, scoring 64 not out from simply 33 deliveries. Her innings featured five fours and 4 sixes, producing a exceptional strike fee of 193.93. On the different finish, Rawal continued her composed innings, balancing controlled stroke play with well timed aggression because the partnership flourished.
The second-wicket stand between Rawal and Verma yielded an unbeaten 106 runs, finishing the chase in simply 27.1 overs. Rawal reached her century in type, ending unbeaten on 100 off 96 balls, with 15 fours and a strike fee of 104.16. Her innings was the proper blend of patience and attacking intent, whereas Verma’s explosive contribution ensured that India by no means allowed the required run fee to become a concern.
Zimbabwe’s bowling attack struggled to include the Indian batters. Chare was the only bowler to assert a wicket, ending with one for 58 in seven overs. Nomvelo Sibanda conceded 20 runs in two overs, Nyasha Gwanzura gave away 22 in 2.1 overs, and Michelle Mavunga conceded 19 in two overs. Tendai Makusha bowled five overs for 25 runs, whereas Loryn Phiri conceded 28 in five overs. Beloved Biza gave away 28 runs in four overs. Regardless of contributions from throughout the bowling unit, Zimbabwe couldn’t discover the breakthroughs needed to stop India’s cost.
India Women ultimately reached 200/1 in 27.1 overs, winning by 9 wickets with 137 balls remaining. Rawal’s unbeaten century, Verma’s breathtaking 64 and Charani’s four-wicket haul have been the defining performances of the contest. The outcome provides India a convincing begin to the Zimbabwe Women tour of India, whereas Zimbabwe will look to strengthen their batting partnerships and discover better control with the ball within the remaining matches of the ODI collection.
I am Yash Tailor, and I believe work should be pushed by passion. Due to this fact, after finishing my Engineering, I chose to work within the Cricket business, my passion. My goal is to succeed in a stage the place I really enjoy what I do and give my finest to each task with energy and purpose.
Source: femalecricket.com

