India-W complete clean sweep of Zimbabwe with dominant all-round performance in Vadodara

While all eyes focused on the grand auction room in Kochi, India surpassed Zimbabwe comfortably in the final ODI of the series to complete another clean sweep under the reins of Smriti Mandhana.

An all-round performance from the Women in Blue outclassed the visitors in all the departments, leading to another dominant win in Vadodara.

Winning the toss, Zimbabwe opted to bat first. The Indian bowlers were quick to hurt the visitors, setting up a dominant show already. Sayali Satghare removed Loyrn Phiri (0) early in the innings Kranti Gaud doubled down the charge by claiming the wicket of Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (4).

Vaishnavi Sharma complicated matters further for Zimbabwe, dismissing Beloved Biza (1) in quick succession before the visitors could find a steady partnership for the fourth wicket through Modester Mupachikwa (37) and their captain, Josephine Nkomo (35).

The two added 27 runs for the fourth wicket before Vaishnavi doubled her tally, getting the better of Mupachikwa. Chiedza Dhururu (20) did join forces with the Zimbabwean skipper but their resistance was shortlived as Sharma added another wicket to her tally to send the Dhururu packing to the pavilion.

Nkomo tried her best to keep the ship afloat but by then the Indian bowlers had already sensed the infringements and they stormed in through the floodgates by bowling out Zimbabwe for 131. Vaishnavi Sharma led the show for India, registering figures of 10-1-39-5 while Gaud and Sayali claimed a brace each.

India had a rude awakening as they lost Yastika Bhatia (0) on the very first ball with Nomvelo Sibanda striking. However, the Women in Blue were quick to arrest the decline as Pratika Rawal continued her superlative run while Harleen Deol (19) looked good for her residence in the center. Rawal and Deol added 59 runs for the second wicket before Loyrn Phiri removed the latter.

However, that was the last slice of joy for Zimbabwe with Shafali Verma stepping in and sealing the chase in style. Verma stayed unbeaten for 51 from just 26 balls while Rawal stayed unbeaten for 59 from just 56 balls as India sealed the chase by eight wickets.

Vaishnavi Sharma bagged the Player of the Match award for her scintillating performance with the ball while Pratika Rawal walked away with the Player of the Match award for her tally of 220 runs.