The Indian women cricket team began their one-day international series against Zimbabwe on an emphatic note, cruising to a commanding nine-wicket win in the opening fixture on 23 October. The architects of this one-sided victory were opening batter Pratika Rawal, who composed a masterly unbeaten century, and a clinical bowling unit that restricted Zimbabwe to 197 runs. Needing 198 for victory, the Indian lineup overhauled the total in just 27 overs with the loss of a solitary wicket, securing an early 1-0 advantage in the series.
Pratika Rawal Joins Smriti Mandhana in Rare Elite Circle
With her commanding century, Pratika Rawal etched her name into an elite historical bracket in Indian women cricket. The all-time list for the most ODI centuries scored by an Indian opening batter is led by Smriti Mandhana, who boasts 14 hundreds at the top of the order. Following this latest hundred, Rawal took her career ODI century tally to three, making her only the second Indian opener after Mandhana to score three or more centuries in the format.
Prior to this match, multiple celebrated stalwarts of the Indian women team sat tied on two centuries as ODI openers. Former captain Mithali Raj, Poonam Raut, Thirush Kamini, and Jaya Sharma had each compiled two hundreds while opening the innings. By bringing up her third century in this encounter, Rawal moved clear of those four names to claim sole possession of second place on that historic register.
Explosive Half-Centuries From Mandhana and Shafali Decimate Target
Chasing 198 runs, the Indian team never gave Zimbabwe an opportunity to build sustained bowling pressure. Captain Smriti Mandhana joined forces with Pratika Rawal to construct a destructive opening stand worth 94 runs. Mandhana assumed the role of aggressor from ball one, compiling a blistering 62 runs off just 34 deliveries before being dismissed. Her explosive innings laid the foundation for an effortless chase, keeping the required run rate well under control.
Following Mandhana departure, Shafali Verma walked in at number three and accelerated the scoring even further. Shafali remained unbeaten on 64 off a mere 33 deliveries, peppering the boundary ropes with five fours and four towering sixes. At the other end, Rawal anchored the innings with poise before accelerating toward her milestone. She completed her unbeaten 100 off 96 deliveries, striking 15 boundaries along the way. Rawal and Shafali stitched together an unbroken second-wicket partnership of 106 runs, safely taking India past the target inside 27 overs.
Shree Charani and Kranti Gaur Restrict Zimbabwe to 197
Earlier in the day, the Indian bowling unit set up the triumph by dismantling Zimbabwe for 197 runs. Left-arm spinner Shree Charani delivered the finest spell of her international career, capturing four wickets while conceding only 23 runs. Her disciplined lines and variations stifled Zimbabwe middle order and prevented any substantial partnerships from developing.
Pacer Kranti Gaur provided ideal support from the opposite end, claiming three wickets to maintain continuous pressure on the hosts. For Zimbabwe, the sole notable resistance came from Beloved Biza, who fought hard to compile a steady half-century of 62 runs. However, with the Indian bowlers striking regularly and denying her any consistent support from the other end, Zimbabwe innings folded well before completing a competitive total.
