Vaishnavi Sharma’s five-for and Pratika Rawal’s classy fifty powered India to a commanding eight-wicket win against Zimbabwe in the third Women’s ODI on Wednesday, sealing a 3-0 series sweep for the hosts.
Vaishnavi bamboozled Zimbabwe’s batters with her flight and guile, bowling out the visitors for a paltry 131 in the 40th over.
In just her third ODI, Vaishnavi tore through Zimbabwe’s batting line-up, returning figures of 5/39 in 10 overs. The 20-year-old had impressed in the second ODI as well, claiming four wickets.
Pratika made light work of the chase with an unbeaten 59 off 56 deliveries, while Shafali Verma smashed 51* off just 26 balls after coming in at No. 4, helping India wrap up the game in 17 overs.
Skipper Smriti Mandhana promoted
Yastika Bhatia to open alongside Pratika, but the southpaw couldn’t capitalise on the chance, departing for a duck after attempting a cross-batted shot off the first delivery and getting caught at mid-on.
After scoring 100 and 61 in the first two games, Pratika continued to dominate Zimbabwe’s bowlers. She got off the mark with a four on either side of the square before going on to register her 10th ODI fifty in just her 30th appearance.
Shafali then joined Pratika in the middle and accelerated the proceedings with a barrage of fours.
It was the first bilateral series between India and Zimbabwe, with the hosts having also swept the preceding T20I series 3-0. For the visitors, the tour provided valuable experience of competing against a top team in women’s cricket.
Vaishnavi was unafraid to toss the ball up, tempting Zimbabwe’s batters into taking risks as the visitors suffered a swift collapse. Opener Modester Mupachikwa top-scored for Zimbabwe with 37 off 48 balls.
A string of soft dismissals early in the innings put Zimbabwe under pressure, extending their batting struggles throughout the white-ball tour of India.
Pacer Sayali Satghare struck in her first over with opener Loryn Phiri getting a faint tickle down the leg side.
(With PTI Inputs)
