New Delhi: Spinner Vaishnavi Sharma bagged a five-wicket haul as India thrashed Zimbabwe by 8 wickets in the third and final ODI to clean sweep the three-match series 3-0 at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Wednesday.
India bundled out Zimbabwe for a paltry 131 before making light work of the target.
The hosts got off to a shaky start in the 132-run chase with Yastika Bhatia getting sent back on a Golden Duck on the very first delivery of India’s innings. However, Pratika Rawal and Shafali Verma slammed half-centuries apiece and joined hands to take India home comfortably in just 17 overs.
Rawal slammed 59 not out off 56 balls, while Shafali remained unbeaten on 51 off just 26 deliveries to power India to a thumping victory with a match-winning 74 run-stand for the third wicket. Both right-handers looked in sublime control and never let the Zimbabwe bowlers make a comeback in the lopsided contest.
Rawal’s 59 was laced with 4 fours and three sixes, while Shafali hammered three sixes and six fours en route to her 26-ball 51. India wrapped up the chase with a clinical batting display to seal their third consecutive win in the series.
Vaishnavi Sharma rocks Zimbabwe
Earlier, Vaishnavi ran riot with the ball to help India skittle out Zimbabwe for a paltry 131 runs in 39.5 overs. The left-arm spinner dismissed Zimbabwe opener Modester Mupachikwa on 37 before running through their middle and lower middle order to record her maiden fifer in ODIs.
Mupachikwa top-scored with 37 off 48 balls before getting stumped by Yastika Bhatia off the bowling of Vaishnavi. The spinner then went on to dismiss Beloved Biza (1), Chiedza Dhururu (20), Michelle Mavunga (6) and Nyasha Gwanzura (10) in quick succession to finish with figures of 5/39 off her 10 overs, her career best bowling figures in ODIs.
She was well supported by pacers Kranti Gaud and Sayali Satghare, who picked up two wickets apiece to ensure Zimbabwe were restricted to a low-key 131. The total was never going to be enough, and the hosts made a light work of the run chase to secure a dominant win.