India take a 1-0 lead in three-match ODI series

Vadodara, October 23(HS): A commanding unbeaten century from Pratika Rawal and a match-winning spell by Sree Charani powered the Indian women’s cricket team to a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the first One-Day International (ODI) on Friday. India chased down the target of 198 in just 27.1 overs, losing only one wicket, to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Rawal produced an outstanding unbeaten 100 off 96 balls, while Shafali Verma provided an explosive finish with an unbeaten 64 off just 33 deliveries. Her aggressive strokeplay, including a flurry of sixes, helped India complete the chase comfortably. Smriti Mandhana also made a valuable contribution of 32 runs.

Earlier, India’s bowlers dismissed Zimbabwe for 197 in 49.5 overs. Sree Charani delivered a career-best performance, claiming four wickets for 23 runs, while Kranti Gaud took three wickets for 42 runs. Beloved Biza was Zimbabwe’s top scorer with 62 runs.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Zimbabwe suffered an early setback in the third over when Kranti Gaud dismissed Loryn Phiri, taking a sharp return catch off her own bowling. However, India missed a few straightforward opportunities in the opening overs. Richa Ghosh dropped a catch offered by Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, while Deepti Sharma missed a chance to dismiss Modester Mupachikawa off the bowling of ODI debutant Jintimani Kalita.

Sree Charani subsequently turned the tide in India’s favour. After bowling a maiden over, she trapped Mugeri-Tiripano leg before wicket and then sent Mupachikawa back to the pavilion. Deepti Sharma further dented Zimbabwe’s innings by having Sharne Mayers caught, reducing the visitors to 70 for four.

With Zimbabwe under pressure, Biza steadied the innings. She combined with Nyasha Gwanzura to add 43 runs for the fifth wicket and went on to complete her half-century. Michelle Mavunga attempted to accelerate the scoring, contributing 29 runs off 23 balls. However, Charani ended her innings by having her caught by Kalita, breaking the partnership.

Zimbabwe’s innings then unravelled, with the team losing three wickets for just three runs. Shafali Verma dismissed captain Nomvelo Sibanda leg before wicket, while Kranti Gaud had Biza caught at mid-off. Deepti Sharma bowled Tendai Makusha just before the end of the innings, wrapping up Zimbabwe’s innings at 197.

India began the chase with an aggressive approach. Openers Rawal and Mandhana scored briskly, taking the team to 72 without loss at the end of the first 10 overs.

Rawal brought up her half-century off 54 balls and had a reprieve when she was dropped on 45. The opening pair put on 94 runs before Mandhana was dismissed for 32.

Shafali then took charge of the scoring, accelerating the innings with a series of powerful strokes. In the 26th over, she struck three sixes off Olinder Chare’s bowling as India collected 20 runs from the over. Shafali reached her half-century in just 29 balls, while Rawal completed her third ODI century with a boundary in the 27th over.

The pair added an unbeaten 106 runs for the second wicket off just 70 balls, guiding India to a convincing victory with 22.5 overs to spare.

Brief Scores

Zimbabwe Women: 197 all out in 49.5 overs (Beloved Biza 62; Sree 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; Smriti Mandhana 32).

Result: India won by nine wickets and lead the three-match ODI series 1-0.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar