India finish Zimbabwe ODI series in style as Vaishnavi Sharma claims five wickets

India’s women turned the final ODI against Zimbabwe into another statement of dominance on Wednesday, October 28, combining a ruthless bowling display with a rapid chase to seal a 3-0 series sweep at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. The eight-wicket victory followed an identical 3-0 clean sweep in the preceding T20I series, giving the hosts a perfect finish to their white-ball contests against Zimbabwe.

The standout performance came from young left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma, whose maiden five-wicket haul in international cricket restricted Zimbabwe to 131 in 39.5 overs. Openers Pratika Rawal and Shafali Verma then ensured there would be little suspense in the chase, remaining unbeaten on 59 and 51 respectively as India reached 133 for two in just 17 overs.

Vaishnavi Sharma’s five-wicket haul puts Zimbabwe on the back foot

Zimbabwe chose to bat after winning the toss but lost momentum almost immediately. Sayali Satghare removed Loryn Phiri for a duck in the second over, and Kranti Gaud followed by dismissing Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano for four. Beloved Biza’s departure for one left the visitors struggling to rebuild.

Vaishnavi then took charge. She dismissed Biza before breaking a developing partnership by having opener Modester Mupachikwa stumped for 37 off 48 balls. The wicket was particularly important because Mupachikwa had been Zimbabwe’s most productive batter.

Captain Josephine Nkomo attempted to steady the innings alongside Chiedza Dhururu, who scored 20, but Vaishnavi repeatedly found ways through the middle order. She finished with figures of five for 39 from 10 overs, while Satghare and Gaud claimed two wickets apiece.

Vaishnavi, aged 20 years and 314 days, became the second-youngest Indian woman to take a five-wicket haul in ODIs. She was also the youngest Indian woman in a decade to achieve the feat, after Deepti Sharma’s record-setting performance against Sri Lanka in 2016.

Shafali Verma and Pratika Rawal finish the chase in style

India’s reply began with an early setback when Yastika Bhatia fell off the first ball, caught by Francisca Chipare off Nomvelo Sibanda. Harleen Deol made 19 from 19 deliveries, including four boundaries, before Loryn Phiri dismissed her.

At 25 for two, India needed a partnership to settle the innings. Rawal and Shafali supplied it with an unbeaten 74-run stand, taking the pressure off the chase and accelerating towards the target.

Rawal’s composed 59 not out provided stability, while Shafali brought her trademark aggression. She finished on 51 not out from 26 balls, sealing her half-century with a six as India crossed the line with eight wickets and 33 overs to spare.

What India’s Zimbabwe sweep means

The ODI result completed India’s 3-0 sweep after their earlier 3-0 T20I series win. For Vaishnavi, the finale marked a personal milestone; for the team, it was another demonstration of the depth across its bowling and batting units.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, struggled to withstand India’s early breakthroughs and middle-order pressure. With the visitors bowled out for 131 and India chasing the target in only 17 overs, the final match underlined the gulf between the sides across both formats.

(With inputs from ANI)