India can clinch their first ODI series against Zimbabwe in Vadodara today, and Mandhana wants more from the fielders
India won the first women’s ODI by nine wickets with 137 balls to spare, and a second win at the Kotambi Stadium from 2pm IST would wrap up the three-match series.
Oct 25, 2026
India can wrap up their first ODI series against Zimbabwe’s women in Vadodara on Sunday. The second of three games starts at 2pm IST at the Kotambi Stadium, two days after India won the opener by nine wickets with 137 balls to spare.
The series counts towards the ICC Women’s Championship, so the points matter as much as the scoreline. The third ODI is at the same ground on Wednesday, 28 October.
How Friday went
Zimbabwe won the toss, batted and were bowled out for 197 with one ball of their 50 overs left. N Shree Charani’s left-arm spin did most of the damage, four wickets for 23 runs in ten overs, and Kranti Gaud took 3 for 42. India needed only 27.1 overs to get there. Pratika Rawal finished on 100 not out off 96 balls, and Shafali Verma, batting at No. 3, made 64 not out off 33.
Smriti Mandhana, in her first ODI as India’s full-time captain, still found something to fix. India had not played 50-over cricket for a long time, she said, and the fielding could have had more intensity.
Zimbabwe need more from the ball
Nomvelo Sibanda, captaining Zimbabwe in place of Josephine Nkomo, did not pretend otherwise. Her side were “like 100 runs short”, she said. They used seven bowlers on Friday and none of them slowed India down for long. Tendai Makusha’s five overs for 25 were the tightest.
There was one bright spot with the bat. Beloved Biza, still a teenager, made 62 off 92 balls and held the innings together while wickets fell around her. Michelle Mavunga’s 29 off 23 was the only spell in which Zimbabwe scored with any freedom, and Charani ended that too.
Hot and dry in Vadodara
The forecast is for a hot, dry afternoon, around 35°C, with no rain about. It is a day-night game, so evening dew could be a factor for whichever side bowls second.
India have won all four of their games against Zimbabwe on this tour, the three T20Is in Raipur and Friday’s ODI. Another win like the last one would settle the series with a game to spare.