As the spotlight shifts to Vadodara for the second ODI, the ongoing series between India Women and Zimbabwe Women sets up an intriguing battle of contrasts and ambitions. Team India steps onto the field boasting immense depth, heavy hitters at the top, and a lethal bowling attack that can suffocate opponents in home conditions. Under the leadership of Smriti Mandhana, the hosts have looked thoroughly dominant across formats, blending the fierce experience of veterans like Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma with the fearless exuberance of youth. On the other side, Zimbabwe Women, captained by Josephine Nkomo, arrive with a gritty, hard-working mindset. While they face an uphill battle against a formidable Indian side in unfamiliar subcontinental pitches, the visitors are eager to display their resilience, lean on seasoned campaigners like Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano and Modester Mupachikwa, and learn from every single over spent out in the middle.
The action moves to the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, a venue expected to offer a true contest between bat and ball under the bright afternoon sun. Sunday’s clash gives Zimbabwe a crucial chance to tighten up their execution, especially during the middle overs where the pressure tends to mount against quality spin. Their batting unit will need to find ways to rotate the strike cleanly and nullify the threat posed by India’s crafty slow bowlers, while the fast-bowling department must look for early breakthroughs to put a lid on India’s powerhouse opening partnership. For the visitors, surviving the initial new-ball spell and building meaningful partnerships will be the absolute key to setting or chasing a competitive total.
For India, this fixture serves as an ideal platform to test their squad combinations further and ruthlessly capitalize on any early momentum. The coaching staff will be keen to see how the middle order responds if early wickets fall, though players like Deepti Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur have historically thrived in steering the innings through tricky phases. With the series stakes firmly on the line this Sunday, expect India to push for clinical execution in all departments while Zimbabwe fights tooth and nail to rewrite the script and make a strong statement on foreign soil.
Squads:
India
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
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 for:
Harmanpreet Kaur
Harmanpreet Kaur remains a cornerstone of India’s ODI setup, bringing years of middle-order experience to the side. Across 165 matches and 143 innings, she has accumulated 4,541 runs at an average of 37.22 and a strike rate of 76.86. She has converted starts into substantial scores consistently, registering 7 centuries and 24 fifties throughout her career, with an unbeatable career-best score of 171*. Her ability to anchor and accelerate has seen her face 5,908 delivery attempts, striking 448 boundaries and clearing the rope 57 times while remaining unbeaten on 21 occasions
Deepti Sharma
Deepti Sharma continues to stand out as one of India’s most effective and reliable all-rounders in 50-over cricket. In 125 WODIs, she has established herself as a primary strike option, taking 166 wickets across 124 bowling innings at a steady average of 27.69 and an economy rate of 4.45. Bowling 1,032.5 overs (6,197 balls) with 72 maidens, she consistently keeps opposition run rates in check. Her career is highlighted by exceptional match-winning performances, including 4 five-wicket hauls, 3 four-wicket hauls, and personal best figures of 6/20
Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano
Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano serves as a key pillar in Zimbabwe’s top order, offering steady resistance and boundary-hitting capability. Having featured in 25 WODIs and batted in as many innings, she has scored 697 runs at a solid average of 30.30 and a strike rate of 69.14. Over the course of 1,008 balls faced, she has notched up 5 half-centuries, recorded 87 fours, and registered a career-high score of 71*. Staying unbeaten twice, her composure remains vital to Zimbabwe’s batting lineup
Nomvelo Sibanda
Nomvelo Sibanda provides crucial discipline and control with the ball for Zimbabwe’s bowling attack. Appearing in 28 matches and bowling in 27 innings, she has picked up 20 wickets in WODIs. Through 185.5 overs (1,115 deliveries), she has maintained an economy rate of 4.80 and bowled 15 maiden overs, averaging 44.65 per wicket. Her best bowling display in an innings stands at 3/41, highlighting her role in building pressure during the middle overs
Pitch Report:
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 Report:
Sunday 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 XI Predictions:
Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Harmanpreet Kaur, Shafali Verma, Shree Charani, Josephine Nkomo, Beloved Biza, Olinder Chare, Kudzai Chigora, Francisca Chipare
Match Details :
Date: 25th October, 2026
Time: 2 PM
Venue: Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara
Broadcast: The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website
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