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India Women began their three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe with a nine-wicket demolition in Vadodara, chasing 198 in just 27.1 overs. Pratika Rawal struck an unbeaten 100 off 96 balls, while Shafali Verma blasted 64 not out off 33. Shree Charani’s career-best 4/23 had earlier choked Zimbabwe at 197 all out.
Vadodara, India: There was no World Cup afterglow-induced rust on show at the Kotambi Stadium. India’s first ODI since lifting their maiden Women’s World Cup in November 2025 was also Smriti Mandhana’s first as full-time captain, and the hosts ended it with 137 balls to spare and a 1-0 lead in the series.
For Zimbabwe, ranked 14th, it was a first ODI series against third-ranked India. They won the toss, chose to bat, and showed real resolve for long stretches. In the end, though, the gulf in firepower decided the contest.
Zimbabwe’s Slide and Biza’s Stand
The visitors stumbled early and found themselves 70 for 4, with India’s attack squeezing every scoring avenue. What followed was a rescue built on patience rather than power. Seventeen-year-old Beloved Biza was the anchor, grinding out 62 off 92 balls across 137 minutes with five boundaries. Michelle Mavunga added a brisk 29 off 23 to lift the total towards 200.
Zimbabwe fought to the final over but were bowled out for 197 in 49.5 overs, just short of using their full quota.
Charani Leads a Spin-Led Squeeze
Charani was the pick of India’s six bowlers. She finished with 4/23 from her ten overs, the best figures of her ODI career. Pacer Kranti Gaud backed her up with 3/42, while Deepti Sharma took two wickets and Shafali chipped in with one. Mandhana rotated her options smartly, and Zimbabwe never found a partnership big enough to threaten a competitive total.
Rawal and Mandhana Light the Fuse
If the bowling was control, the chase was carnage. Rawal, back at the top of the order, and Mandhana raced to 48 without loss in the first five overs. Mandhana’s 32 off 34 balls, studded with four boundaries, ended when she tried to take on leg-spinner Olinder Chare and found the fielder at long-on. By then the opening stand was worth 94 and the target was already well within reach.
Rawal took a measured route to her half-century, reaching it in 54 balls before shifting gears.
Shafali Turns a Chase into a Procession
Then came the finishing blow. Batting at No. 3 for only the second time in her ODI career, Shafali swung at everything. Her fifty arrived in just 29 balls, and consecutive sixes in the 26th over put the result beyond doubt. She plundered 43 runs off 19 deliveries against Chare. With 32 still needed, three sixes in a single Chare over brought 20 runs and ended any suspense.
Rawal did not need a final flourish, but she delivered one anyway. Consecutive boundaries off Tendai Makusha in the 27th over completed her third ODI hundred, an unbeaten 100 off 96 balls with 15 fours. Shafali then lofted off-spinner Nyasha Gwanzura over his head for four to seal the win. The pair had added an unbroken 106 for the second wicket. Only one of Zimbabwe’s seven bowlers took a wicket.
Series Lead and What Comes Next
The result extends India’s winning run to four straight matches under Mandhana, following their clean sweep of the preceding T20I series. For Rawal, the century is a statement of intent after her return to the top of the order. For Shafali, it is another reminder of how dangerous she can be when promoted up the order.
The second ODI is scheduled for Sunday, October 25, with the third and final match on Wednesday, October 28. Both are at the same venue in Vadodara.
Score: Zimbabwe Women 197 all out in 49.5 overs (Beloved Biza 62, Michelle Mavunga 29; Shree Charani 4/23, Kranti Gaud 3/42) lost to India Women 200/1 in 27.1 overs (Pratika Rawal 100*, Shafali Verma 64*, Smriti Mandhana 32) by 9 wickets
Player of the Match: Pratika Rawal (India Women), unbeaten 100 off 96 balls
