Match Result
India Women thrashed Zimbabwe Women by nine wickets in the 1st ODI of the Zimbabwe Women tour of India 2026 at the BCA Stadium, Vadodara, on Friday, 23 October 2026. Chasing 198, the hosts raced to 200 for 1 in just 27.1 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and pocket two ICC Women’s Championship 2025-2029 points.
Pratika Rawal was the star of the show with an unbeaten 100 off 96 balls, while left-arm spinner Shree Charani’s career-best 4 for 23 earlier in the day had set up the rout. Zimbabwe, batting first after winning the toss, were bowled out for 197 in 49.5 overs despite Beloved Biza’s fighting half-century.
How the Match Unfolded
Zimbabwe captain won the toss and chose to bat on a red-soil pitch under the Vadodara sun. The decision backfired quickly as India’s new-ball bowlers struck early. Kranti Gaud removed Lorraine Phiri for 1, catching the opener off her own bowling, and Chipo Mugeri fell lbw to Shree Charani for 21 after being dropped by Richa Ghosh earlier in the over.
Beloved Biza held one end together with a composed 62 off 92 balls, but Zimbabwe never found any real momentum. Charani’s tight stump lines choked the scoring — she finished with outstanding figures of 4 for 23, her best in ODIs. Gaud took 3 for 42, Deepti Sharma picked up 2 wickets, and Shafali Verma struck once, as Zimbabwe were dismissed for 197 in the final over of their innings. Modester Mupachikwa (25) and Mitchel Mavunga (29 off 23) were the only other batters to reach double figures.
The chase was never in doubt. Pratika Rawal, promoted to open, unfurled a stream of boundaries, while captain Smriti Mandhana made a brisk 32 before falling. Shafali Verma then cut loose with a 33-ball 64 not out — a strike rate close to 200 — as she and Rawal put on an unbeaten 106-run stand off just 70 balls. Rawal reached her third ODI century with 15 fours, and India sealed the win with 137 balls to spare.
Key Performances
The five performances that defined the game:
| Player | Team | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Pratika Rawal | India | 100* (96), 15 fours — Player of the Match |
| Shafali Verma | India | 64* (33), 5 fours & 4 sixes |
| Shree Charani | India | 4/23 (10 overs), career-best |
| Kranti Gaud | India | 3/42, incl. a caught-and-bowled |
| Beloved Biza | Zimbabwe | 62 (92), 5 fours — lone half-century |
| Smriti Mandhana | India | 32 (opening, captain) |
Deepti Sharma’s 2 wickets and the Jintimoni Kalita ODI debut also deserve mention — the first-ever WODI meeting between these two sides produced a record night for India’s young squad.
What It Means
India take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series, and more importantly claim two valuable ICC Women’s Championship 2025-2029 points, with Zimbabwe left on zero.
The margin of victory underlines the gulf between the sides on the day: Zimbabwe’s total of 197 was simply not enough on a batting-friendly surface, and India showed no mercy in the chase. For Zimbabwe, Biza’s innings and the lower order’s resistance were small positives, but they will need far more from their top order when the teams meet again.
The 2nd ODI is scheduled for Sunday, 25 October 2026 at the same venue in Vadodara, where Zimbabwe will look to stay alive in the series while India aim to seal it.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who won the India Women vs Zimbabwe Women 1st ODI? — India Women won by 9 wickets at Vadodara on 23 October 2026.
- Who was the Player of the Match? — Pratika Rawal, for her unbeaten 100 off 96 balls in the chase.
- What were the final scores? — Zimbabwe 197 all out (49.5 overs); India 200/1 (27.1 overs).
- How many ICC Women’s Championship points did each team get? — India 2 points, Zimbabwe 0.
- When is the 2nd ODI? — Sunday, 25 October 2026, at the BCA Stadium, Vadodara.
- Was this the first WODI between India Women and Zimbabwe Women? — Yes, the teams met in a WODI for the first time.
Conclusion
This was a thoroughly professional performance from India Women — disciplined bowling led by Shree Charani and Kranti Gaud, followed by a ruthless chase headlined by Pratika Rawal’s sparkling hundred. Nine-wicket wins don’t come much more emphatic than this.
With a 1-0 series lead and Championship points in the bag, India will head into the 2nd ODI full of confidence. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, must regroup quickly — their batting needs a complete reset if they are to challenge the hosts again in Vadodara.
For a detailed scorecard of the match, see this report:
Green Benn is a dedicated sports writer specializing in cricket, including IPL and international formats. Known for clear, engaging, and informative content, Green simplifies complex match analysis and player statistics for all readers. Passionate about sports storytelling, Green delivers reliable, SEO-friendly articles that keep fans updated and informed
