Pratika Rawal’s ton powers India-W to emphatic win against Zimbabwe-W
The Indian women’s cricket team carried forward their winning momentum into the ODIs after a sensational start to the series in Vadodara. An all-round masterclass from the Women in Blue saw Zimbabwe being blown apart as India went 1-0 up in the series.
Winning the toss, Zimbabwe opted to bat first. Kranti Gaud dealt an early blow to remove Loryn Phiri (1) before the visitors managed to steady the ship. Modester Mupachikwa (25) and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (21) added 43 runs for the second wicket. N Sree Charani struck a double blow to get the better of the two set batters, reducing Zimbabwe to 55/3.
Beloved Biza (60) took it upon her to take the visitors forward despite India chipping away at the wickets from the other end. Nyasha Gwanzura (13) and Mitchell Mavunga (29) did provide some support to Biza but it wasn’t enough for Zimbabwe to keep the Indian invasion at bay.
Sree Charani extended her rich vein of form to the longer formats as well, registering figures of 10-3-23-4 while Kranti Gaud supported her aptly with a three-fer. Zimbabwe were bundled out for 197 with a ball to go in the innings.
India had no qualms whatsoever about going hard at the total. Pratika Rawal’s return to the longer format saw her playing another gem of a knock while Smriti Mandhana got off to a great start but couldn’t convert it into something massive.
The opening duo of Mandhana (32) and Rawal added 94 runs for the opening stand before Olinder Chare could remove the Indian captain. However, that was the only breakthrough that Zimbabwe could manage throughout the innings. Rawal scored her third ODI hundred, staying unbeaten for the magic figure from 96 balls.
Shafali Verma played a gem of a knock, staying unbeaten for 64 off just 33 balls, rocking five fours and four sixes. India chased the total down from just 27.1 overs to go 1-0 up in the series. Pratika Rawal bagged the Player of the Match award for her unbeaten ton against Zimbabwe.
