Pratika Rawal’s Unbeaten Century Powers India to Nine-Wicket Win Over Zimbabwe
India made a commanding start to their three-match women’s ODI series against Zimbabwe, cruising to a nine-wicket victory in the opening match in Vadodara. Pratika Rawal produced a composed, unbeaten 100 from 96 deliveries, while Shafali Verma’s explosive 64 not out ensured the hosts reached their target of 198 with 22.5 overs to spare.
The result gave India a 1-0 series lead and underlined the contrast between Zimbabwe’s determined innings and India’s dominant response. Earlier, left-arm spinner Shree Charani claimed a career-best 4 for 23 and fast bowler Kranti Gaud took 3 for 42 to dismiss Zimbabwe for 197 in 49.5 overs. Beloved Biza top-scored for the visitors with 62, but India’s bowlers eventually broke through a series of partnerships to keep the total within easy reach.
Charani Turns the Match with a Four-Wicket Spell
Zimbabwe chose to bat on a surface that appeared favourable for stroke-making, but India struck early. Kranti removed Loryn Phiri in the third over, holding on to a sharp return catch after the batter hit the ball back towards her. India had an opportunity to build on that breakthrough, though, and the fielding side missed a couple of chances during the opening phase.
Richa Ghosh put down Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano in the same over, while Deepti Sharma was unable to hold a slip catch when debutant Jintimani Kalita drew an edge from Modester Mupachikwa. Zimbabwe reached 46 for 1 by the end of the Powerplay, with the early reprieves helping the visitors settle at the crease.
Charani changed the tempo after coming into the attack. She began with a maiden, then struck with the first ball of her next over, trapping Mugeri-Tiripano lbw. The spinner followed up by bowling Mupachikwa, who misjudged a lofted drive and sent the ball towards mid-off. Deepti then added to Zimbabwe’s problems by having Sharne Mayers caught, leaving the visitors at 70 for 4.
With wickets falling around her, Biza took responsibility for keeping the innings together. She found support from Nyasha Gwanzura, and the pair added 43 runs for the fifth wicket. Biza moved through the 30s and 40s with measured stroke play before reaching her half-century, giving Zimbabwe a platform to rebuild after the middle-order collapse.
Late Resistance Cannot Lift Zimbabwe Beyond 197
Michelle Mavunga provided a useful late contribution, scoring 29 from just 23 balls. Her innings included a six over midwicket off Sayali Satghare and helped Zimbabwe add momentum during a 40-run stand. India had another chance to remove her when Kranti dropped a catch at deep midwicket, but Charani eventually ended the partnership by having Mavunga caught by Kalita.
That dismissal opened the door to a rapid collapse. Zimbabwe lost three wickets for only three runs as India regained control. Shafali trapped captain Nomvelo Sibanda lbw, and Kranti followed by having Biza caught at mid-off. Biza’s 62 remained the innings’ highest score, but her departure left the lower order with little room to recover.
The final pair added 14 runs before Deepti bowled Tendai Makusha with one delivery remaining in the innings. Charani’s four wickets were central to India’s effort, while Kranti’s three-wicket haul ensured Zimbabwe could not turn their early survival into a substantially larger total.
Rawal and Verma Make the Chase Look Easy
India’s reply was assertive from the outset. Rawal opened with two boundaries in the first over, and Smriti Mandhana quickly found her timing at the other end. The pair took advantage of the fielding restrictions and Zimbabwe’s struggle to contain their scoring, lifting India to 72 without loss after 10 overs.
Rawal balanced aggression with control, rotating the strike and capitalising on loose deliveries. She was given a significant reprieve when she was dropped on 45 at midwicket, and made the most of the opportunity. The opening partnership reached 94 before Mandhana was caught at long-on for 32, leaving India needing only 104 more runs with plenty of time and wickets in hand.
Shafali joined Rawal and quickly shifted the chase into a higher gear. She attacked the bowlers with clean hitting, repeatedly clearing the boundary as Zimbabwe searched for a breakthrough. In a particularly costly 26th over, Shafali struck Olinder Chare for three sixes, collecting 20 runs and bringing up her half-century from just 29 balls.
Rawal completed her third ODI century with a boundary in the 27th over. Her unbeaten 100 came from 96 balls and featured an assured mix of placement, patience and well-timed attacking shots. At the other end, Shafali remained unbeaten on 64 from 33 deliveries, and the pair finished the match with a 106-run partnership that required only 70 balls.
What the Result Means for the Series
India’s nine-wicket win was built on strong contributions in both innings. Charani and Kranti restricted Zimbabwe after the visitors had begun to settle, while Rawal and Shafali made the chase one-sided. The margin also reflected India’s ability to recover from early fielding errors and take control through disciplined bowling and confident batting.
For Zimbabwe, Biza’s half-century and Mavunga’s brisk cameo offered encouraging signs, but the team will need greater support from the rest of the batting order in the next match. The missed chances in the field also proved costly, particularly when Rawal was dropped before reaching her century.
As the series continues, India will take confidence from Rawal’s growing influence in the ODI format and Shafali’s ability to accelerate a chase. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, will be looking to improve their execution with the ball and make their early breakthroughs count. For fans following women’s cricket, the opener provided a clear picture of India’s batting depth—and plenty to consider when assessing the next match prediction.
Match Summary
Zimbabwe Women: 197 in 49.5 overs (Beloved Biza 62; Shree Charani 4/23, Kranti Gaud 3/42).
India Women: 200/1 in 27.1 overs (Pratika Rawal 100 not out, Shafali Verma 64 not out; Olinder Chare 1/58).
Result: India won by nine wickets and lead the three-match series 1-0.
