India’s women’s cricket team secured a 3-0 whitewash of the ODI series against Zimbabwe with an eight-wicket victory in the third and final match at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Wednesday.
Left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma took five wickets as India bowled out Zimbabwe for 131 runs in 39.5 overs. In response, Pratika Rawal and Shafali Verma scored unbeaten half-centuries to lead India to victory.
Having already won the series, India delivered another dominant performance to conclude the ODI leg successfully, adding to their earlier 3-0 sweep in the preceding T20I series.
Zimbabwe, after winning the toss, elected to bat but struggled against India’s disciplined bowling attack. Sayali Satghare gave the hosts an early breakthrough by dismissing Loryn Phiri in the second over, and Kranti Gaud removed Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano for four in the following over.
Vaishnavi then dismissed Beloved Biza for one and stumped opener Modester Mupachikwa, who scored 37, breaking a 27-run partnership. Zimbabwe captain Josephine Nkomo attempted to stabilise the innings with a 43-run partnership for the fifth wicket alongside Chiedza Dhururu, who scored 20 from 39 balls.
Vaishnavi dismantled the middle order to complete her five-wicket haul as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 131. Satghare and Gaud took two wickets each to support Vaishnavi’s decisive bowling performance.
India’s chase began with an early setback when Yastika Bhatia was dismissed by Nomvelo Sibanda on the first ball, caught by Francisca Chipare. Harleen Deol contributed 19 runs off 19 balls, including four boundaries, before being dismissed by Loryn Phiri.
Shafali Verma and Pratika Rawal then took control of the innings, compiling an unbeaten 74-run partnership for the third wicket to secure a comfortable victory. Rawal finished on 59 not out, while Shafali scored 51 not out, sealing the win with a six.
This victory completed India’s comprehensive 3-0 ODI series sweep following their earlier T20I series success against Zimbabwe.