WOMEN’S CRICKET • MATCH REPORT
Pratika Rawal’s third ODI century and Shree Charani’s four-wicket haul powered India to a dominant win in Vadodara and a 1–0 lead in the three-match series.
Match date: 23 October 2026 | Venue: BCA Stadium, Vadodara
India Women began their ODI series against Zimbabwe with a convincing nine-wicket win at Vadodara on 23 October 2026. After bowling Zimbabwe out for 197 in 49.5 overs, India chased the target down in just 27.1 overs, finishing on 200/1. Pratika Rawal anchored the chase with an unbeaten 100 from 96 balls, while Shafali Verma gave the innings a sharp finish with 64 not out off 33 deliveries. Earlier, Shree Charani led India’s bowling effort with 4/23, supported by Kranti Gaud’s three wickets. The result gave India a 1–0 lead in the three-match series and made a strong start to Smriti Mandhana’s first ODI as the team’s full-time captain.
India Women vs Zimbabwe Women: Match Summary
Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bat, but India kept the scoring in check and picked up wickets regularly. Beloved Biza top-scored with 62 from 92 balls, yet Zimbabwe were unable to turn that innings into a total that seriously tested India’s batting line-up.
India’s reply was decisive. Pratika Rawal remained unbeaten throughout the chase, reaching her century from 96 balls. Shafali Verma’s 33-ball 64 not out lifted the scoring rate and ensured India crossed the line with 22.5 overs still unused.
| Match | India Women vs Zimbabwe Women, 1st ODI |
|---|---|
| Date | 23 October 2026 |
| Venue | BCA Stadium, Vadodara |
| Zimbabwe Women | 197 all out in 49.5 overs |
| India Women | 200/1 in 27.1 overs |
| Result | India Women won by 9 wickets |
| Player of the Match | Pratika Rawal |
| Series score | India lead 1–0 in the three-match series |
India Women vs Zimbabwe Women 1st ODI Scorecard
| Zimbabwe Women batting | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Beloved Biza | 62 | 92 |
| Modester Mupachikwa | 25 | 44 |
| Michelle Mavunga | 29 | 23 |
| Total | 197 all out (49.5 overs) | |
| India Women batting | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Pratika Rawal | 100* | 96 |
| Shafali Verma | 64* | 33 |
| Smriti Mandhana | 32 | 34 |
| Total | 200/1 (27.1 overs) | |
Top bowling figures: Shree Charani 4/23, Kranti Gaud 3 wickets for 42 runs. Zimbabwe’s Olinder Chare took the only Indian wicket, finishing with 1/58.
How Zimbabwe Reached 197
Zimbabwe’s innings had one substantial anchor in Beloved Biza, but the side struggled to build enough partnerships around her. Biza’s 62 from 92 balls kept the innings moving, while Michelle Mavunga added 29 from 23 late in the innings. Those contributions helped Zimbabwe approach the 200-run mark, but the wickets around them prevented a stronger finish.
Shree Charani leads India’s bowling attack
Shree Charani finished with 4/23 in 10 overs, the standout return of the innings. Kranti Gaud claimed three wickets, and Deepti Sharma added two. India therefore had several bowlers contributing to the collapse rather than relying on one spell alone.
Zimbabwe reached 197, but losing all ten wickets before completing their 50 overs left India with a target of 198. On a day when India’s top order scored freely, that total was always going to require early breakthroughs to defend.
India’s Chase: Pratika Rawal and Shafali Verma Take Control
India made a positive start, with Smriti Mandhana scoring 32 from 34 balls before she was dismissed at 94. That wicket offered Zimbabwe a brief opening, but it did not change the direction of the chase. Rawal was already well set, and Shafali arrived with the freedom to attack.
Rawal builds the innings without losing control
Rawal’s 100 not out came from 96 deliveries and included 15 fours. Her innings combined steady accumulation with enough boundary scoring to keep India ahead of the required rate. Crucially, she stayed at the crease until the target was reached, giving the chase a dependable centre.
Shafali’s acceleration ends the contest early
Shafali Verma struck 64 not out from just 33 balls, including five fours and four sixes. Her scoring rate changed the feel of the chase: Zimbabwe had little time to build pressure, and every over that passed made a comeback less likely.
The pair’s unbroken stand after Mandhana’s dismissal took India from 94/1 to the finish. Rawal supplied the century; Shafali supplied the acceleration. The contrast in their approaches made the partnership especially effective.
The Turning Point: India’s Only Wicket Did Not Slow the Chase
Mandhana’s dismissal at 94 was Zimbabwe’s clearest chance to make the match competitive. Instead, Shafali joined Rawal and the scoring rate increased. India needed 104 more runs at that point, but the pair completed the chase without another wicket falling.
The wider turning point had come earlier with India’s bowling. Restricting Zimbabwe to 197 meant the batters could take calculated risks without needing a long, cautious chase. Charani’s four wickets and Gaud’s support helped create that position.
Key Performances That Decided the Match
| Player | Performance | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Pratika Rawal | 100* off 96 balls | Held the chase together and finished unbeaten |
| Shafali Verma | 64* off 33 balls | Raised the scoring rate and closed the game quickly |
| Shree Charani | 4/23 in 10 overs | Led the attack and restricted Zimbabwe’s total |
| Kranti Gaud | 3 wickets | Helped prevent Zimbabwe from building partnerships |
| Beloved Biza | 62 off 92 balls | Top-scored for Zimbabwe and provided resistance |
Why India Women Won by Nine Wickets
India’s win was built across both innings. The bowlers kept Zimbabwe from turning Biza’s innings into a bigger total, and the batters then chased with a balance of control and aggression.
- Wickets came from multiple bowlers: Charani, Gaud and Deepti all made important contributions.
- Rawal stayed until the end: Her unbeaten century gave India stability through the chase.
- Shafali attacked at the right time: Her 64 from 33 balls removed any realistic chance of a late squeeze.
- The target was manageable: Zimbabwe’s 197 left India room to play positively without taking unnecessary risks early.
What Zimbabwe will need to improve
Zimbabwe will want more support for Biza with the bat and a stronger start with the ball. Chasing wickets is difficult when the opposition’s top order is set, so early pressure in the second ODI will matter. Their first priority, though, is to convert individual contributions into longer partnerships.
What the Result Means for the Series
India take a 1–0 lead into the next match of the three-ODI series. The opening result gives the hosts confidence in both their bowling depth and top-order batting, while Zimbabwe have a clear benchmark for the work required to compete over 50 overs.
The match also marked Mandhana’s first ODI as full-time captain, and India’s return to the format after a gap of nearly eight months. A strong result in the opener gives the side a positive platform, but the next game will offer Zimbabwe an immediate opportunity to respond.
The second ODI is scheduled for 25 October 2026 in Vadodara. Check the official match centre for any changes to the fixture or match timing.
Frequently Asked Questions
India Women won by nine wickets after chasing Zimbabwe’s 197 in 27.1 overs.
Pratika Rawal scored an unbeaten 100 from 96 balls, including 15 fours.
Pratika Rawal was named Player of the Match for her unbeaten century.
Shree Charani took four wickets for 23 runs in her 10 overs.
India Women lead the three-match ODI series 1–0.
Sources and Scorecard Verification
- BCCI official match centre: India Women vs Zimbabwe Women, 1st ODI
- Akashvani News: India Women win by nine wickets
- Cricbuzz full scorecard
The match figures in this report have been cross-checked against the published scorecard and match reports. Confirm any post-match quotes against their original source before adding them.
Final Verdict
India Women made a convincing start to the series by combining disciplined bowling with a composed, fast-moving chase. Shree Charani’s 4/23 helped keep Zimbabwe to 197, and Pratika Rawal’s unbeaten 100 gave the innings its anchor. Shafali Verma’s rapid 64 not out then ensured there was no late drama. Zimbabwe will need more runs around Beloved Biza and earlier breakthroughs in the next match if they are to challenge India.
