India have already wrapped up the Zimbabwe ODI series lead after two commanding performances at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi. In the opening game, India chased down 198 comfortably with nine wickets in hand, powered by a brilliant unbeaten century from debutant Pratika Rawal (100*) and a stingy four-wicket spell from spinner N Sree Charani (4/23). The host side doubled down in the second match, amassing 328/6 on the back of Harmanpreet Kaur’s blistering 126 and Deepti Sharma’s all-round brilliance, before bowling Zimbabwe out for 207 to seal a comprehensive 121-run victory and secure maximum ICC Women’s Championship points.
Squads:
India Women’s Cricket Team
Smriti Mandhana (C), Deepti Sharma (VC), Yastika Bhatia, Harleen Deol, Kranti Gaud, Richa Ghosh, Tejal Hasabnis, Harmanpreet Kaur, Pratika Rawal, Renuka Singh, Sayali Satghare, Shafali Verma, Nandani Sharma, Shree Charani, Vaishnavi Sharma
Zimbabwe Women’s Cricket Team
Josephine Nkomo (C), Beloved Biza, Olinder Chare, Kudzai Chigora, Francisca Chipare, Chiedza Dhururu, Nyasha Gwanzura, Tendai Makusha, Michelle Mavunga, Sharne Mayers, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Modester Mupachikwa, Kelis Ndhlovu, Loryn Phiri, Nomvelo Sibanda
Players to watch out:
Pratika Rawal
Pratika Rawal has truly cemented her presence at the top of the order during the ongoing series against Zimbabwe, headlined by a stellar, unbeaten century on her way to racking up 161 runs across two matches at an incredible average of 161.00. Her ability to anchor the innings while finding the boundary with 19 fours and 2 sixes shows a rare blend of composure and stroke-play that kept the opposition bowlers completely at bay.
N Sree Charani
N Sree Charani put on a clinic with the ball in hand for India Women, spinning a web around the batters to finish with 5 wickets from just two outings while conceding at a miserly economy rate of 3.33. Her standout spell of 4 for 23 dismantled the batting lineup and showcased her knack for picking up crucial breakthroughs when the team needed them most.
Beloved Biza
Beloved Biza fought valiantly for Zimbabwe throughout the tour, emerging as one of their most reliable contributors with both bat and ball. She accumulated 96 runs across two matches—highlighted by a gritty 62—and chipped in effectively with the ball, ending the series as Zimbabwe’s leading wicket-taker with 5 scalps, including a fine 3-wicket haul against a formidable Indian side.
Nomvelo Sibanda
Nomvelo Sibanda has been putting in tireless shifts lower down the order for the visiting side, battling hard against a relentless Indian bowling attack. She managed to pick up 2 wickets during the matches while also chipping in with important overs, displaying the fighting spirit that defines the Zimbabwe squad on this challenging tour.
Pitch:
The pitch is a batting-friendly track with true bounce and a fast outfield. Pacers get early movement with the new ball, but it flattens out for stroke-play later. Spinners face tough conditions, particularly with dew at night.
Weather:
The conditions will be warm and sunny, with a daytime high of 34°C (94°F) dropping to a pleasant 21°C (69°F) at night. Expect clear skies, zero chance of rain, and light winds around 6 mph.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Harmanpreet Kaur, Shafali Verma, N Sree Charani, Josephine Nkomo, Beloved Biza, Olinder Chare, Kudzai Chigora, Francisca Chipare
Match Details:
Date – October 28, 2026
Time – 2:00 PM IST
Venue – Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara
Broadcast – Star Sports, JioStar