Indian captain Smriti Mandhana expressed her admiration for , Pratika Rawal, and Deepti Sharma following a commanding 121-run win on Sunday.
Their remarkable performances helped the team recover from a precarious position of 19/2, leading the “Women in Blue” to a resounding victory. With this win, India has taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with the final game scheduled for October 28.
The match, held at the BCA Stadium, saw Mandhana and Shefali Verma dismissed early, but Harmanpreet and Pratika (who scored 61 runs) formed a crucial partnership, adding 124 runs for the third wicket. Following that, Harmanpreet (126 runs) and Deepti (not out at 106 runs) set a record fifth-wicket partnership of 153 runs, propelling India to a total of 328/6.
After the match, Mandhana highlighted the significance of their recovery from 19/2 to surpass 300 runs. “The credit goes entirely to Harman, Pratika, and Deepti, who delivered outstanding performances. It was truly a pleasure to watch them play,” she said.
Mandhana particularly praised Deepti’s batting, noting her contributions during the ODI World Cup. “Deepti has been performing exceptionally well. Unfortunately, her batting order often limits her overs, but today she showcased her talent and completed her century, which was delightful to see.”
This victory marks Mandhana’s first ODI series win as India’s full-time captain. She also commended left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma (39/4), who took four wickets in an innings for the first time in her international career.
“Vaishnavi performed brilliantly. She consistently varied her pace and angles. Her understanding of the game is impressive, which is beneficial for a captain. Other bowlers also contributed well. In white-ball cricket, especially in the heat, a spell of 4-5 overs can feel long. However, the conditions were favorable today. You want to avoid making it easy for the batsmen,” Mandhana explained.
She also praised Zimbabwe’s fielding efforts, stating, “Zimbabwe’s fielding was outstanding, saving around 20-30 runs, particularly in the point area. It was great to see their commitment, even in the afternoon heat. They didn’t seem to drop any catches in the last two series, which is commendable. This is a positive sign for women’s cricket.”