Vadodara, October 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India captain Smriti Mandhana praised her bowlers for restricting Zimbabwe to 131 in the third and final ODI, describing the 3-0 series sweep as a positive start to the team’s ODI Championship campaign ahead of the next Women’s ODI World Cup.
“Yeah, 3 ODI wins, good way to start the ODI championship for the next World Cup. Really happy with the way the bowlers stood up, keeping them under 140, and Vaishnavi, I mean, got a fifer today. Really happy that she got a fifer on the last ball,” Mandhana said after India registered an eight-wicket victory on Wednesday.
India bowled Zimbabwe out for 131 in 39.5 overs, with left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma claiming five wickets for 39 runs. Pacer Sayali Satghare and Kranti Gaud took two wickets apiece as India’s bowlers kept the visitors from building substantial partnerships.
India then chased down the target of 132 in just 17 overs to complete a clean sweep of the ODI series, having also won all the matches in the preceding T20I series.
Mandhana acknowledged Zimbabwe’s efforts in the field but said India had aimed to dominate the contest throughout the tour.
“Zimbabwe fielded really well and played some good cricket, but we just wanted to go out there and dominate. Apart from the first T20I, we did that. That is something which is a good thing,” she said.
The India captain was also pleased with the execution of the fast bowlers, particularly their focus on attacking the stumps and maintaining pressure on Zimbabwe’s batters.
“Our pacers tried to hit the stumps; we wanted them to do that, and it was pleasing to see,” Mandhana added.
India also used the final ODI to provide valuable batting opportunities to players who had not featured regularly in the format. Yastika Bhatia, who had not played an ODI for a long time, was promoted to open the innings, while Harleen Deol was also given a chance in the reshuffled batting order.
“Yastika has not played in the ODIs for a long time. We really wanted to have her bat; if we had batted first, we would have kept the same line-up. With 130, we thought she should be opening, and the same for Harleen. Really happy that they got some game time,” Mandhana said.
In the chase, Shafali Verma produced an explosive unbeaten 51 off 27 balls, reaching her half-century in just 26 deliveries. Pratika Rawal anchored the innings with an unbeaten 59, while Harleen contributed 19 runs.
The pair of Shafali and Pratika ensured India reached 133/2 in 17 overs, sealing a comfortable eight-wicket win and completing a successful series against Zimbabwe.
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