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Pratika Rawal scored an unbeaten 100 and Shafali Verma made a rapid 64 not out as India Women defeated Zimbabwe Women by nine wickets in the first ODI at Vadodara on Friday, October 23, 2026. India reached 200/1 in 27.1 overs after bowling Zimbabwe out for 197 in 49.5 overs, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Rawal anchored the pursuit with a controlled century, finishing on 100 not out from 96 deliveries. Her innings included 15 fours and gave India a steady base before the chase accelerated. The innings was reported as the third ODI century of her career, and came after a six-month absence from the 50-over format.
At the other end, Shafali Verma brought the scoring rate sharply upwards. She remained unbeaten on 64 from only 33 balls, striking five fours and four sixes. The pair’s unbeaten stand took India past the target with 22.5 overs unused, leaving Zimbabwe little opportunity to build pressure through the middle overs.
Smriti Mandhana, leading India, made 32 before falling as the only wicket lost in the chase. India’s finish at 200/1 in 27.1 overs underlined the gap between the teams in this match, while Rawal and Shafali provided contrasting but complementary approaches: one built a century, the other attacked at a high tempo.
Zimbabwe were bowled out for 197, with Beloved Biza providing their leading contribution: 62 from 92 balls. Her innings gave the visitors a platform, but the rest of the batting order could not convert it into a total that seriously challenged India’s top order.
Left-arm spinner Shree Charani returned figures of 4/23 from 10 overs to lead the Indian attack. Kranti Gaud claimed three wickets, while Deepti Sharma took two and Shafali Verma added one. The wickets were spread across the bowling group, preventing Zimbabwe from carrying their innings through the full 50 overs.
Zimbabwe’s innings lasted 49.5 overs, meaning India had to complete a chase rather than defend a low total. However, the target of 198 proved manageable once Rawal and Shafali settled. The home side’s bowling effort had restricted the visitors to below 200, and the openers then turned the match into a decisive result.
The ODI opener followed India’s 3-0 sweep in the preceding T20I series, giving the hosts momentum as the tour moved to the longer format. The ODI leg offers a different test, with batters required to manage innings across 50 overs and bowlers needing to sustain control over a longer spell. India’s first-match performance showed strength in both departments: Charani and Gaud led the defence, while Rawal and Shafali completed the chase quickly.
The matches also form part of the ICC Women’s Championship, making the series relevant beyond the immediate bilateral result. A strong start gives India a chance to build on its T20I momentum, while Zimbabwe will look to respond in the next fixture after being unable to make its total competitive.
The second ODI is scheduled for October 25 at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. India will aim to extend the lead, while Zimbabwe will need more contributions around Biza’s innings and a stronger response with the ball to keep the series alive. With all three ODIs set to be played in Vadodara, both teams have limited travel and can focus on adapting their combinations and plans from one match to the next.
For Indian fans, Rawal’s return to ODI cricket with a century and Shafali’s aggressive half-century were the headline batting takeaways. India’s task in the second match will be to carry the same efficiency into another game, while Zimbabwe’s challenge is to turn individual contributions into a more complete team performance.
