Pratika Rawal’s magnificent unbeaten century and Shree Charani’s career-best bowling figures propelled India to a commanding nine-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the opening women’s ODI.
IMAGE: India opener Pratika Rawal celebrates her century in the first WODI against Zimbabwe in Vadodara on Friday. Photograph: BCCI Women/X
Key Points
Pratika Rawal slammed her third 50-overs century, scoring an unbeaten 100 not out to anchor India’s nine-wicket chase on Friday.
Shree Charani recorded career-best figures of 4/23, helping India bowl out Zimbabwe for a mere 197.
India chased down the target of 198 in 27.1 overs, with Shafali Verma contributing an unbeaten 64 and Smriti Mandhana scoring 32.
Zimbabwe’s Beloved Biza scored a gritty 62, but her team’s total proved insufficient against the Indian batting lineup.
India’s dominant performance was marred by some ordinary fielding, including a few dropped catches during Zimbabwe’s innings.
Pratika Rawal slammed her third 50-overs century after Shree Charani recorded career-best figures of 4/23 as India thrashed Zimbabwe by nine wickets in the opening women’s ODI of their three-match series in Vadodara on Friday.
Pratika Rawal’s Unbeaten Century Leads India
IMAGE: Shree Charani ran through Zimbabwe’s top and lower-middle order to finish with figures of 4-23. Photograph: BCCI Women/X
After Charani’s exploits helped India bowl out Zimbabwe for a mere 197 on a batting haven, Pratika made the most of her promotion to the opening slot, smacking an unbeaten 100 not out to anchor the chase.
India went over the line making 200/1 in 27.1 overs, with their regular opening pair of skipper Smriti Mandhana (32) and vice-captain Shafali Verma (64 not out) also cashing in on the opportunity.
Pratika’s unbeaten hundred included 15 fours as the right-hander scored at a strike rate of over 100, well above her career strike rate.
IMAGE: Shafali Verma celebrates her half-century. Photograph: BCCI Women/X
Pratika displayed her rich arsenal of strokes, especially along the ground, without taking any unwarranted risks.
On a benign batting track and against a bowling attack which didn’t pose any particular threat, India got off the blocks quickly and were soon scoring almost 10 runs an over.
But against the run of play, Mandhana’s wicket fell when she found Beloved Biza at long-on off Olinder Chare in the 16th over, having added 94 for the first wicket.
Shafali, who dropped down to number three, continued to blaze her way to another big score, clobbering four sixes and five fours to make 64 not out off 33 balls.
Shree Charani’s Bowling Masterclass
IMAGE: Shree Charani celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Nyasha Gwanzura. Photograph: BCCI
Earlier, Charani stifled the Zimbabwe batters with her career-best figures as the visitors could only manage 197 all-out despite Biza’s gritty 62.
Charani broke the back of Zimbabwe’s resolve with wickets at key intervals and, along with Kranti Gaud (3/42), ensured the visitors did not make the most of a batting-friendly wicket here in Kotambi.
Zimbabwe’s Resilience and India’s Fielding Concerns
IMAGE: Pratika Rawal hit 15 boundaries in her unbeaten 100 off 96 balls. Photograph: BCCI Women/X
The left-arm spinner accounted for opener Modester Mupachikwa (25) and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (21) at the top and later dismissed Nyasha Gwanzura (13) and the dangerous-looking Michelle Mavunga (29) to keep India in complete control.
The Zimbabwe No. 4 Biza gave a good account of herself, displaying a fine mix of caution and aggression to make 62 off 92 balls with five fours in an innings in which she held one end strongly.
IMAGE: Deepti Sharma celebrates the dismissal of Sharne Mayers with captain Smriti Mandhana. Photograph: BCCI Women/X
India’s domination in the field was, however, marred by some ordinary fielding once again with a few dropped catches.
On a Gaud delivery outside off, the left-handed Mugeri-Tiripano went for a drive but edged it behind and wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh failed to grab what was a regulation chance on the penultimate ball of the third over.
• India Batter S Meghana Hangs Up Her Boots at 30
IMAGE: Shafali Verma celebrates the wicket of Nomvelo Sibanda. Photograph: BCCI Women/X
In the eighth over, Mupachikwa went for a swipe at a wide delivery and got an outside edge off Gaud.
The ball went to Deepti Sharma (2/44), placed at second slip, but a reverse-cup attempt to grab the ball proved wrong as it popped out of the vice-captain’s hands.
Later, when Mavunga was garnering quick runs for her side, Gaud failed to hold onto a tough chance at deep midwicket when a powerful hit off Deepti came her way in the 40th over.