India Women completed a commanding 3-0 white-ball ODI series sweep against Zimbabwe Women, securing an eight-wicket victory in the third match at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara.
Driven by 20-year-old spinner Vaishnavi Sharma’s maiden international five-wicket haul and rapid, unbeaten half-centuries from openers Pratika Rawal and Shafali Verma, the hosts comfortably chased down a target of 132 in just 17 overs.
Vaishnavi Sharma’s Historic Five-Wicket Haul
Opting to bat first, Zimbabwe struggled to build sustained momentum against a disciplined Indian bowling attack. Early strikes by pacers Sayali Satghare (2/11) and Kranti Gaud (2/23) reduced the visitors to 25/2 within the powerplay.
Left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma then dismantled the top and middle order with precise flight and variation. Finishing with figures of 5/39 in 10 overs, Vaishnavi became the second-youngest Indian bowler to claim a five-wicket haul in Women’s ODIs.
Contributions from Modester Mupachikwa (37 off 48 balls) and captain Josephine Nkomo (35 off 67 balls) offered resistance, but Zimbabwe were ultimately bowled out for 131 in 39.5 overs.
Clinical Chase by Rawal and Verma
Despite losing Yastika Bhatia to a golden duck on the very first delivery of the chase to Nomvelo Sibanda, India quickly seized control of the match.
Pratika Rawal anchored the innings with a composed 59 off 56 balls (featuring 4 fours and 3 sixes), while Harleen Deol contributed 19 off 19 balls. Following Deol’s departure, Shafali Verma delivered an explosive counterattack, smashing 51 off 26 deliveries (including 6 fours and 3 sixes). Verma sealed the victory by hitting a six off Olinder Chare on the final ball of the 17th over.
The victory caps a 6-0 overall white-ball tour sweep for India Women, following their 3-0 win in the preceding T20I series.
