India Women began their ODI series against Zimbabwe Women in emphatic fashion, producing a commanding batting performance in the first ODI in Vadodara on October 23, 2026. Pratika Rawal scored an unbeaten century, while Shafali Verma provided the fireworks with a blistering half-century as India chased down Zimbabwe’s target with nine wickets in hand and 137 balls remaining. Earlier, Zimbabwe fought through a challenging innings, with Beloved Biza’s 62 providing the backbone of their batting effort before India’s bowlers brought the innings under control.
Zimbabwe Women, batting first, found runs difficult to come by during the early stages of their innings. Modester Mupachikwa and Loryn Phiri opened the batting, but the partnership lasted only 2.3 overs before Phiri was dismissed for one off nine balls, caught and bowled by Kranti Gaud. Zimbabwe were 3/1, and the early breakthrough gave India an opportunity to put pressure on the middle order.
Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano joined Mupachikwa and attempted to rebuild the innings. The pair added 43 runs before Mugeri-Tiripano was trapped lbw by Shree Charani for 21 off 27 balls, including three boundaries. Zimbabwe slipped to 46/2 in 10.1 overs. Mupachikwa, meanwhile, continued to battle through the opening phase, 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 completing the catch.
Sharne Mayers then joined Beloved Biza, but their partnership was cut short when Mayers fell for eight off 12 balls, caught by Sayali Satghare off Charani’s bowling. Zimbabwe were 70/4 in 17.6 overs, leaving the visitors needing a substantial partnership to stabilise their innings. Biza took responsibility at one end as Nyasha Gwanzura joined her in the middle, and the pair gradually worked to improve Zimbabwe’s position.
Their fifth-wicket stand yielded 43 runs, taking the score to 113 before Gwanzura was dismissed for 13 off 28 balls. She was caught and bowled by Charani in the 27.3rd over, giving the left-arm spinner her third wicket of the innings. Biza continued to hold the innings together, while Chiedza Dhururu offered support. However, Dhururu’s stay ended at 10 off 23 deliveries when Gaud bowled her in the 35.1st over, leaving Zimbabwe at 140/6.
With Zimbabwe still searching for stability, Michelle Mavunga provided a timely counterattack alongside Biza. Mavunga struck 29 off just 23 balls, hitting three fours and a six, as the pair added 40 runs for the seventh wicket. Their stand briefly lifted Zimbabwe’s scoring rate, but 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 finally ended at 183/9 in 44.1 overs when Deepti Sharma dismissed her for a well-constructed 62 off 92 balls, including five boundaries. Tendai Makusha added 10 off 15 deliveries before becoming Sharma’s second wicket, bowled at 197 in the 49.5th over. Olinder Chare remained unbeaten on four off 19 balls, while Zimbabwe were dismissed for 197 in 49.5 overs, with 12 extras also contributing to their total.
India’s bowling attack shared the responsibility effectively. Shree Charani was the standout performer, claiming four wickets for just 23 runs in her 10 overs, including three maidens. Kranti Gaud picked up three wickets for 42 runs in 10 overs, while Deepti Sharma returned figures of two for 44 in 9.5 overs. Shafali Verma also contributed with the ball, taking one wicket for 28 runs in eight overs. Sayali Satghare conceded 33 runs in seven overs without taking a wicket, while Jintimani Kalita finished with 23 runs conceded in five overs. The collective effort prevented Zimbabwe from building a larger total despite Biza’s impressive innings.
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 keeping the scoreboard moving. The opening pair added 94 runs in 15.3 overs, putting India firmly in control of the chase. Mandhana contributed 32 off 34 balls, striking four boundaries before she was caught by Biza off Olinder Chare’s bowling. India lost their first wicket at 94, but the dismissal did little to slow their momentum.
Shafali Verma joined Rawal and transformed an already comfortable chase into a dominant display of attacking cricket. Verma wasted little time in taking on the Zimbabwe bowlers, scoring 64 not out from just 33 deliveries. Her innings featured five fours and four sixes, producing a remarkable strike rate of 193.93. At the other end, Rawal continued her composed innings, balancing controlled stroke play with timely aggression as the partnership flourished.
The second-wicket stand between Rawal and Verma yielded an unbeaten 106 runs, completing the chase in just 27.1 overs. Rawal reached her century in style, finishing unbeaten on 100 off 96 balls, with 15 fours and a strike rate of 104.16. Her innings was the perfect blend of patience and attacking intent, while Verma’s explosive contribution ensured that India never allowed the required run rate to become a concern.
Zimbabwe’s bowling attack struggled to contain the Indian batters. Chare was the only bowler to claim a wicket, finishing 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, while Loryn Phiri conceded 28 in five overs. Beloved Biza gave away 28 runs in four overs. Despite contributions from across the bowling unit, Zimbabwe could not find the breakthroughs needed to stop India’s charge.
India Women ultimately reached 200/1 in 27.1 overs, winning by nine wickets with 137 balls remaining. Rawal’s unbeaten century, Verma’s breathtaking 64 and Charani’s four-wicket haul were the defining performances of the contest. The result gives India a convincing start to the Zimbabwe Women tour of India, while Zimbabwe will look to strengthen their batting partnerships and find greater control with the ball in the remaining matches of the ODI series.
I am Yash Tailor, and I believe work should be driven by passion. Therefore, after completing my Engineering, I chose to work in the Cricket industry, my passion. My goal is to reach a stage where I truly enjoy what I do and give my best to every task with energy and purpose.