Vadodara, October 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Pratika Rawal struck an unbeaten century and Shafali Verma smashed a rapid 64 not out as World Champions India registered a commanding nine-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the first ODI of the three-match series at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara, on Friday.
Chasing a target of 198, India reached 200/1 in 27.1 overs, with Rawal finishing unbeaten on 100 off 96 balls, including 15 boundaries. Shafali provided the attacking impetus with an unbeaten 64 off just 34 deliveries, hitting five fours and four sixes.
India’s emphatic chase followed a disciplined bowling performance led by Shree Charani, who claimed four wickets for 23 runs, as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 197 in 49.5 overs. Beloved Biza top-scored for the visitors with a fighting 62 off 92 balls.
India made an aggressive start to the chase, with Rawal finding two boundaries in the opening over. Captain Smriti Mandhana joined the attack in the fifth over, striking consecutive fours off Michelle Mavunga as the opening pair took advantage of the fielding restrictions.
Rawal and Mandhana raced to 72 without loss after 10 overs, with Rawal contributing 42 runs. The opener continued to build her innings and received a reprieve when Loryn Phiri dropped her at deep mid-wicket in the 13th over.
Rawal went on to complete her half-century off 54 balls, keeping India firmly on course. Zimbabwe eventually broke the opening partnership in the 16th over when Mandhana was dismissed after scoring 32 off 34 balls.
Shafali joined Rawal and immediately shifted gears, finding the boundary off her third delivery. The pair maintained a brisk scoring rate, leaving Zimbabwe with little opportunity to mount a comeback.
India reached 166/1 at the halfway stage of the innings. Shafali brought up her half-century in just 29 balls in the 26th over, striking consecutive sixes to put India within touching distance of victory.
Rawal completed her century off 96 deliveries in the 27th over before Shafali sealed the win with a boundary in the following over. Olinder Chare was Zimbabwe’s only successful bowler, finishing with figures of 1/58.
Earlier, Zimbabwe elected to bat after winning the toss but struggled to build sustained partnerships against India’s disciplined attack.
Kranti Gaud provided the first breakthrough in the third over, dismissing opener Loryn Phiri through a caught-and-bowled effort. Zimbabwe reached 46/1 at the end of the powerplay, with Mugeri-Tiripano and Modester Mupachikwa attempting to stabilise the innings.
Charani then struck twice, trapping Mugeri-Tiripano leg before wicket for 21 off 27 balls before dismissing Mupachikwa for 25 off 44 deliveries. Deepti Sharma added to Zimbabwe’s difficulties by removing newly appointed vice-captain Sharne Mayers for eight.
With Zimbabwe under pressure, Biza and Nyasha Gwanzura attempted to rebuild the innings, rotating the strike and finding boundaries at regular intervals. The visitors crossed the 100-run mark in the 26th over, but Charani broke the partnership by taking a return catch to dismiss Gwanzura for 13 off 28 balls.
Biza continued to anchor the innings and reached her half-century off 64 deliveries in the 35th over, with Chiedza Dhururu providing support. Gaud then bowled Dhururu for 10 off 23 balls.
Michelle Mavunga offered late resistance with an aggressive 29 off 23 deliveries, helping Zimbabwe cross the 160-run mark. However, Charani dismissed her in the 43rd over to complete her four-wicket haul.
Biza remained Zimbabwe’s leading scorer before Gaud dismissed her for 62 off 92 balls, with Mandhana taking the catch. Deepti wrapped up the innings by bowling Tendai Makusha off the penultimate ball of the innings, leaving Zimbabwe all out for 197.
India’s comprehensive victory gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
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