Left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma delivered an outstanding performance, claiming her maiden five-wicket haul in international cricket as India Women bowled Zimbabwe out for 131 in the third and final ODI at the BCA Stadium on Wednesday.
Vaishnavi finished with figures of 5/39. Sayali Satghare returned 2/11, while Kranti Gaud took 2/23 to dismantle the visitors’ batting line-up.
After opting to bat, Zimbabwe struggled against India’s disciplined bowling. Sayali dismissed Loryn Phiri for a six-ball duck in the second over, before Kranti removed Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano for four in the following over.
Beloved Biza managed just one run from 16 deliveries as the visitors failed to establish momentum despite favourable batting conditions.
The early dismissals left Zimbabwe under pressure, with wickets falling regularly and the top order unable to build a substantial partnership.
Modester Mupachikwa top-scored with 37, while captain Josephine Nkomo contributed 35. The pair added 27 runs for the fourth wicket before Mupachikwa departed.
Chiedza Dhururu scored 20, while Nyasha Gwanzura made 10. However, Zimbabwe could not convert these contributions into a competitive total as India’s bowlers continued to strike.
Vaishnavi exploited the pressure created by the seamers, removing batters through the middle and lower order to complete her maiden international five-wicket haul.
Sayali and Kranti provided crucial support, preventing Zimbabwe from recovering and restricting them to 131 in 39.5 overs.
India now require 132 runs to win the match and complete a clean sweep in the three-match ODI series, fulfilling captain Smriti Mandhana’s pre-match wish to dismiss Zimbabwe for a modest total.
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) against India Women.