Shree Charani’s career-best four-wicket haul, followed by an unbeaten century from opener Pratika Rawal, decided the India women Zimbabwe first ODI, propelling the world champions to a resounding nine-wicket victory over Zimbabwe women in the three-match series opener at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara, on Friday. The win gave India a 1-0 lead in the first-ever women’s ODI series between the two sides.
Zimbabwe captain Nomvelo Sibanda’s decision to bat first backfired as the visitors were bowled out for a meagre 197 in 49.5 overs despite a fighting half-century from Beloved Biza. The middle-order batter waged a lone battle, top-scoring with a gutsy 62 off 92 deliveries with five boundaries.
Besides Biza, Michelle Mavunga (29), Modester Mupachikwa (25) and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (21) made the only other notable contributions to Zimbabwe’s total.
India women Zimbabwe first ODI: Charani leads the bowling
Charani spearheaded India’s bowling charge with four wickets for just 23 runs in her 10 overs, followed by Kranti Gaud with three, while Deepti Sharma bagged two. Shafali Verma chipped in with one scalp. Charani dismissed both Zimbabwe openers — Mupachikwa and Mugeri-Tiripano — before returning to remove Nyasha Gwanzura and Mavunga, keeping the visitors from building any substantial partnership on a batting-friendly pitch.
In reply, India made light work of the 198-run target, chasing it down for the loss of just one wicket with 137 balls to spare. Leading the way was right-handed opener Rawal, who smashed an unbeaten 100 from 96 deliveries studded with 15 fours, and was adjudged Player of the Match.
Rawal shared a 94-run opening stand with captain Smriti Mandhana, who made 32 off 34 balls before holing out to long-on off Olinder Chare in the 16th over. Shafali, batting at No. 3 for only the second time in ODIs, then took charge with a blistering unbeaten 64 off just 34 balls, featuring five fours and four sixes. The pair added an unbeaten 106 for the second wicket, with Shafali striking 43 runs off 19 deliveries against Chare alone — including three sixes in one over — before sealing the win with a lofted shot. Chare remained Zimbabwe’s solitary wicket-taker.
A new era for India
The match marked India’s return to the ODI format following their maiden World Cup triumph in November 2025, and began Smriti Mandhana’s tenure as full-time ODI captain with a convincing win. Rawal’s hundred was her third in ODIs, underlining her rapid rise as one of the most reliable openers in the women’s game.
The second fixture of the three-match series will be played at the same venue on Sunday, giving Zimbabwe two days to regroup after a defeat that exposed the gulf between the sides.
For Pakistan’s fans, the women’s game continues to grow in the region. Pakistan’s own women’s sides have been busy this month, with the national women’s T20 final and U19 tri-series action drawing attention, while Australia thrashed Bangladesh in their ODI opener earlier in the week.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the first ODI between India women and Zimbabwe women?
India women won by nine wickets at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara, on October 23, 2026, chasing 198 in just 27.1 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Who were the star performers?
Pratika Rawal scored an unbeaten 100 off 96 balls and was Player of the Match, Shafali Verma smashed an unbeaten 64 off 34 balls, and Shree Charani took career-best figures of 4/23.
Was this the first women’s ODI between India and Zimbabwe?
Yes. The series opener in Vadodara was the first-ever women’s ODI between the two teams.
When is the second ODI?
The second match of the three-game series will be played at the same venue in Vadodara on Sunday.
