India Crush Zimbabwe by 9 Wickets; Pratika Rawal Smashes Unbeaten Ton
Pratika Rawal's unbeaten century and Shafali Verma's fireworks lead India to a dominant 9-wicket win over Zimbabwe in Vadodara.
In a display of sheer dominance, India secured a crushing nine-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in their first-ever ODI encounter at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. Chasing a target of 198, the reigning ODI world champions made short work of the Zimbabwean bowling attack, reaching the goal with 22.5 overs to spare. The match was highlighted by a masterful unbeaten century from Pratika Rawal and a blistering cameo by Shafali Verma.
Zimbabwe's Struggle Against Indian Spin and Pace
Opting to bat first, Zimbabwe managed to post a total of 197, but the journey to that score was fraught with challenges. While the visitors started steadily, reaching 46 for one in the first powerplay, the Indian bowlers soon tightened the screws.
Kranti Gaud provided the first breakthrough by dismissing opener Loryn Phiri, claiming a catch off her own bowling. Modester Mupachikwa and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano attempted to stabilize the innings by punishing loose deliveries, but Mupachikwa's momentum was halted at 25 when N Shree Charani induced a miscue to mid-off.
The middle order struggled to keep pace, and Zimbabwe found themselves reeling at 140 for six as the 36th over began. A late surge from Michelle Mavunga, who hammered 29 off just 23 balls including several boundaries and sixes, gave the visitors some hope. However, her innings ended when Shree Charani took a catch via Jintimani Kalita at long-on.
A bright spot for Zimbabwe was 17-year-old Beloved Biza. By scoring her fourth ODI half-century, Biza became the second-youngest woman to hit a fifty against India, trailing only England's Sarah Taylor. She was eventually dismissed by Gaud during a late attempt to accelerate the scoring.
The Bowling Heroes
India's bowling unit was clinical, with the duo of N Shree Charani and Kranti Gaud sharing seven wickets between them to restrict Zimbabwe to a manageable total.
India's Explosive Chase
The chase began with intent as Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana—leading the side as full-time ODI captain for the first time—put on a brisk 94-run opening stand. India raced to 48 without loss in the first five overs, with Rawal playing the aggressor before pacing herself to reach a half-century in 54 balls.
The partnership ended when Mandhana, attempting to attack leg-spinner Olinder Chare, was caught at long-on. This brought Shafali Verma to the crease at No. 3, and the game shifted into a higher gear.
Shafali's Fireworks and Rawal's Milestone
Shafali Verma turned the chase into a rout, smashing 64 not out off a mere 33 deliveries. Her aggression was most evident against Olinder Chare, from whom she took 43 runs in a short span. With India needing 32 runs and Rawal on 89, Shafali dismantled Chare further, hitting three sixes in a single over that yielded 20 runs.
The crowning moment came in the 27th over when Pratika Rawal struck Tendai Makusha for back-to-back boundaries to complete her maiden century. Rawal finished the day unbeaten on 100 off 96 balls.
Shafali Verma sealed the victory with a lofted shot over the head of off-spinner Nyasha Gwanzura, ending the contest in emphatic style.
A New Era Under Mandhana
This victory marks a significant return for India to the ODI format after a nearly eight-month hiatus following their historic World Cup triumph in November 2025. For Smriti Mandhana, it was a dream start to her tenure as full-time captain, adding to her recent success of leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their second WPL title.