India women bowled out Zimbabwe for 131 in the third and final ODI in Vadodara on Wednesday, with left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma claiming her maiden five-wicket haul in international cricket.
Pacer Sayali Satghare credited the team’s collective bowling effort for putting the hosts in a strong position to complete a series clean sweep.
Vaishnavi finished with figures of 5/39, while Sayali returned 2/11 and Kranti Gaud took 2/23 as Zimbabwe were dismissed in 39.5 overs at the BCA Stadium. India need 132 runs to win the match and sweep the three-game series.
Sayali Satghare praises Vaishnavi Sharma’s five-wicket haul
Speaking after Zimbabwe’s innings, Sayali highlighted the team’s energy and Vaishnavi’s ability to exploit the slower surface.
“The energy was really good. Vaishnavi bowled really well to get five wickets. The wicket was on the slower side, and she got a bit of turn,” Sayali said.
India made an early impact with the ball, as Sayali dismissed Loryn Phiri for a duck in the second over. Kranti struck in the following over to remove Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano for four, leaving Zimbabwe struggling to build momentum.
Beloved Biza managed just one run from 16 deliveries as India’s bowlers maintained pressure during the opening overs.
Zimbabwe struggle after early wickets
Modester Mupachikwa and captain Josephine Nkomo provided some resistance with scores of 37 and 35, respectively. However, Zimbabwe failed to turn their starts into substantial innings, with Chiedza Dhururu contributing 20.
Vaishnavi took advantage of the conditions to break through the middle and lower order, completing her maiden international five-for. Sayali and Kranti supported her with two wickets apiece to prevent Zimbabwe from mounting a recovery.
Sayali says improved rhythm helped her bowling
Sayali, who had a productive outing with figures of 2/11, said her rhythm was better than in the first two matches of the series.
“Today I felt my rhythm was much better than the previous two games. I’m the kind of bowler who, if I bowl more, I’ll get better,” she said.
The pacer explained that she kept her plans simple against the lower order, focusing on a consistent line rather than making major adjustments.
“My plan was simple. Just stick to the stump line. Even with the old ball, I was trying to do the same,” she added.
Slower pitch offers more help to spinners
According to Sayali, the Vadodara surface offered more assistance to spin bowling than the pitches used in the first two ODIs.
“Today, it was on the slower side. So the spinners were getting turn. In the first two games, there wasn’t much turn,” she said.
India’s seamers also varied their lengths to stop Zimbabwe’s batters from settling. Sayali said changing the length was important to keep the opposition guessing.
She also praised wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia for taking a sharp catch down the leg side, noting that such moments can prove crucial during a bowling spell.
With Zimbabwe restricted to 131, India now have a target of 132 to secure victory in the final ODI and complete a clean sweep of the series.