VADODARA, Oct 2026 : Shafali Verma smashed a blistering 26-ball half-century as India Women registered a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over Zimbabwe Women in the third and final ODI at the BCA Stadium here on Wednesday, completing a 3-0 series sweep.
Chasing a modest target of 132, India reached 133 for two in just 17 overs, with Shafali remaining unbeaten on 51 off 26 balls and Pratika Rawal scoring an unbeaten 59. The emphatic victory sealed India’s dominance in the 50-over series after their success in the T20I leg of the tour.
Shafali’s explosive innings also saw her equal the second-fastest half-century by an Indian woman in One-Day Internationals. Her 26-ball fifty matched Richa Ghosh’s achievement against New Zealand at Queenstown in 2022. Smriti Mandhana holds the record for the fastest ODI fifty by an Indian woman, having reached the milestone in 23 balls against Australia in Delhi in 2025.
The 22-year-old Shafali bettered her previous best of a 29-ball half-century, which she had recorded earlier in the series against Zimbabwe. Her aggressive approach ensured that India completed the chase with 33 overs to spare.
India’s innings began on a disappointing note when opener Yastika Bhatia was dismissed for a second-ball duck. Harleen Deol attempted to stabilise the innings alongside Pratika but departed after scoring 19 off 19 deliveries.
However, Shafali joined Pratika and quickly changed the course of the chase. The pair attacked the Zimbabwean bowlers, preventing the visitors from capitalising on the early breakthroughs. While Shafali provided the fireworks with her rapid scoring, Pratika anchored the innings with a composed half-century.
Their unbeaten partnership guided India comfortably across the finish line, with Pratika continuing her impressive run of form throughout the series.
Earlier, Zimbabwe, after electing to bat first, were bowled out for 131 in 39.5 overs. India’s bowlers maintained pressure throughout the innings, preventing the visitors from building substantial partnerships.
Vaishnavi Sharma led the attack with an outstanding five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of five for 39. It was her first five-for in women’s ODIs. Sayali Satghare and Kranti Gaud provided valuable support, claiming two wickets each for 11 and 23 runs respectively.
Zimbabwe struggled to recover after losing three wickets during the powerplay. Modester Mupachikwa top-scored with 37, while Josephine Nkomo contributed 35 and Chiedza Dhururu added 20. However, the lack of significant partnerships left the visitors with an inadequate total.
India’s bowlers shared the responsibility effectively, restricting Zimbabwe to a score that their batters chased down with little difficulty.
The result completed a successful tour for India, who had also won the T20I series against Zimbabwe. The visitors, meanwhile, ended the tour without a victory in either format.
Brief Scores
Zimbabwe Women: 131 all out in 39.5 overs (Modester Mupachikwa 37, Josephine Nkomo 35; Vaishnavi Sharma 5/39, Sayali Satghare 2/11).
India Women: 133/2 in 17 overs (Pratika Rawal 59 not out, Shafali Verma 51 not out; Loryn Phiri 1/28).
Result: India Women won by eight wickets and swept the three-match ODI series 3-0.
