India Women will look to build on their dominant nine-wicket victory when they take on Zimbabwe Women in the second ODI in Vadodara. Pratika Rawal’s unbeaten century and India’s disciplined bowling performance proved decisive in the opening match, giving the hosts a strong start to the series.
With India aiming to take a 2-0 lead, Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal and Kranti Gaud are three players to watch in the IND-W vs ZIM-W 2nd ODI. Their recent performances and career records offer a statistical basis for why they could once again influence the outcome.
Smriti Mandhana
Smriti Mandhana’s experience at the top of the order makes her a key player in India’s batting lineup. Her ability to score through the off side, find boundaries in the powerplay and build partnerships gives India a strong foundation for a big total or a successful chase.
Mandhana made a useful contribution in the first ODI, scoring 32 off 34 balls, with four fours at a strike rate of 94.12. She shared a 94-run opening partnership with Rawal before being caught by Beloved Biza off Olinder Chare in the 15.3rd over. Although she did not convert her start into a half-century, the partnership put India in a commanding position during the chase.
Her career record further supports her importance. Mandhana had accumulated 5,443 runs in 121 Women’s ODIs, at an average of 47.88 and a strike rate of 90.36, with 14 centuries and 35 half-centuries in ODIs.
Mandhana will be keen to turn her start into a substantial score. If she establishes herself early, Zimbabwe could face another difficult outing against India’s top order.
Pratika Rawal
Pratika Rawal has demonstrated her ability to combine patience with attacking intent. Her composure at the crease and capacity to convert starts into big scores make her an important part of India’s ODI batting lineup.
Rawal was the standout performer in the first India Women vs Zimbabwe Women ODI, finishing unbeaten on 100 off 96 balls. Her innings included 15 fours and came at a strike rate of 104.16. She first added 94 runs with Mandhana before sharing an unbeaten 106-run partnership with Shafali Verma, guiding India to 200/1 in just 27.1 overs.
Her century was particularly significant because it showed how effectively she could anchor a chase while allowing an attacking partner to play freely. While Verma scored at a strike rate of 193.93, Rawal maintained control at the other end and ensured that India’s required run rate remained comfortably within reach.
Rawal’s career numbers also reflect her potential. She has scored her with 1,289 runs in 28 Women’s ODIs, an average of 50.45, a strike rate of 82.84, two centuries and seven half-centuries. These figures should be treated as a pre-match statistical reference rather than a verified post-match career total, given her latest century against Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers will need to find an early breakthrough against Rawal. If she settles into another long innings, India could once again take control of the match without putting pressure on their middle order.
Kranti Gaud
Kranti Gaud’s ability to strike with the ball makes her a crucial option for India, especially during the powerplay. Her right-arm fast-medium bowling gives the hosts an opportunity to disrupt Zimbabwe’s top order before the batters can establish partnerships.
Gaud made an immediate impact in the opening ODI, dismissing Loryn Phiri for one off nine balls in the third over. She later removed Modester Mupachikwa, who scored 25, and bowled Chiedza Dhururu for 10. Gaud finished with three wickets for 42 runs in 10 overs, helping India restrict Zimbabwe to 197 all out in 49.5 overs.
Gaud with 28 wickets in 18 Women’s ODIs, an economy rate of 5.83, and a bowling average of 29.76. Her best ODI bowling figures in that profile are 6/52, highlighting her ability to deliver a match-changing spell.
Gaud’s focus will be on maintaining her line and length and creating pressure early. Another successful powerplay spell could leave Zimbabwe struggling to build the partnerships required to challenge India’s batting lineup.
India Women will enter the second ODI against Zimbabwe Women with confidence after their commanding opening victory. Smriti Mandhana will look to provide a bigger contribution at the top, Pratika Rawal will aim to build on her unbeaten century, and Kranti Gaud will be expected to continue her impressive wicket-taking form.
For Zimbabwe, finding a way to break India’s opening partnerships and withstand Gaud’s early bowling threat will be crucial. With the hosts looking to take a 2-0 lead in the series, these three players could once again have a significant influence on the result.