The Zimbabwe Women tour of India 2026 moves into its 50-over leg on Friday, October 23, 2026, as India Women take on Zimbabwe Women in the 1st ODI at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara. After sealing a 3-0 series sweep in the T20Is, Smriti Mandhana’s India start as overwhelming favourites — but with ICC Women’s Championship points on the line, Zimbabwe will be desperate to punch above their weight.
This is Smriti Mandhana’s first series as India’s full-time captain, and the hosts will be keen to bounce back after losing their previous three ODIs to Australia. For Zimbabwe, led by Josephine Nkomo, this is a golden opportunity to test themselves against one of the world’s best sides in subcontinental conditions.
Match Overview
India were ruthless in the T20I series, winning all three games — including a 92-run thrashing in the final match — to complete a 3-0 whitewash. As our 2nd T20I recap shows, the contest was strikingly one-sided, with India winning that game by nine wickets. Mandhana’s side will expect more of the same in the longer format, where their depth in both batting and spin should tell.
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, are still finding their feet at this level. They competed in patches during the T20Is but were ultimately outclassed. The step up to 50-over cricket is significant, and Nkomo’s young side will need career-best performances from the likes of Kelis Ndhlovu and Modester Mupachikwa to stay competitive. These three ODIs form part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2025-2029, which serves as qualification for the next World Cup — so every point matters.
Date, Time & Venue
- Match: India Women vs Zimbabwe Women, 1st ODI — Zimbabwe Women tour of India 2026
- Date: Friday, October 23, 2026
- Toss: 1:30 PM IST
- First ball: 2:00 PM IST
- Venue: BCA Stadium, Kotambi, Vadodara
Probable Playing XIs & Squads
India Women
Probable XI: Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana (c), Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Sayali Satghare, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia.
India squad: Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana (c), Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (w), Sayali Satghare, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Vaishnavi Sharma, Nandani Sharma, Tejal Hasabnis, Jintimani Kalita.
Zimbabwe Women
Probable XI: Modester Mupachikwa (wk), Kelis Ndhlovu, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Beloved Biza, Josephine Nkomo (c), Sharne Mayers, Nyasha Gwanzura, Nomvelo Sibanda, Francisca Chipare, Olinder Chare, Kudzai Chigora.
Zimbabwe squad: Modester Mupachikwa (w), Kelis Ndhlovu, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Beloved Biza, Josephine Nkomo (c), Sharne Mayers, Nyasha Gwanzura, Michelle Mavunga, Nomvelo Sibanda, Francisca Chipare, Olinder Chare, Kudzai Chigora, Tendai Makusha, Loryn Phiri, Chiedza Dhururu.
Head-to-Head Record
India Women and Zimbabwe Women have met just once before in ODI cricket — back in 2017, when India cruised to a nine-wicket victory.
The gulf between the sides has only grown since then. India are ranked among the world’s elite and were among the leading sides at the last World Cup, while Zimbabwe are still building their ODI pedigree. Anything other than a comfortable home win would be a major surprise.
Pitch & Weather Report
The BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara, generally offers flat, batting-friendly surfaces. The average first-innings score in women’s ODIs here is around 280, so expect the batters to enjoy themselves — particularly in the first half of the game.
Spinners tend to get some grip as the ball gets older, and with dew likely in the second innings, chasing could be the preferred option at the toss. India’s spin trio of Deepti Sharma, Shree Charani and Vaishnavi Sharma could be the key.
It will be a hot day in Vadodara — partly sunny with temperatures climbing to around 36°C and no rain expected.
Where to Watch / Live Streaming
Here is how to watch the India Women vs Zimbabwe Women 1st ODI live:
- India (TV): Star Sports 1
- India (streaming): JioHotstar
FAQs
When and where is the India Women vs Zimbabwe Women 1st ODI?
The 1st ODI will be played on Friday, October 23, 2026, at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara. The toss is at 1:30 PM IST and play begins at 2:00 PM IST.
How did the T20I series between the sides go?
India won the three-match T20I series 3-0, sealing the whitewash with a 92-run victory in the final game.
What is at stake in this ODI series?
The three ODIs are part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2025-2029, which acts as qualification for the next Women’s World Cup.
Who are the captains for the 1st ODI?
Smriti Mandhana captains India in her first series as full-time skipper, while Josephine Nkomo leads Zimbabwe.
Where can I watch IND-W vs ZIM-W 1st ODI live?
The match will be telecast live on Star Sports 1 in India, with live streaming available on JioHotstar.
Final Summary
India Women should win this comfortably — they are stronger in every department and playing at home. But Zimbabwe have nothing to lose, and the ICC Women’s Championship points give them real motivation to compete hard.
Expect Mandhana’s side to make a winning start to the ODI series in Vadodara. For fantasy teams and Dream11 tips for the 1st ODI, check this detailed Dream11 prediction guide.
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
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