3rd ODI: India complete 3-0 sweep as Zimbabwe bowled out for 131 in Vadodara
Synopsis
India swept Zimbabwe 3-0 in the Women's ODI series in Vadodara, rounding off a format double following a clean T20I sweep too. Vaishnavi Sharma's five-wicket haul skittled Zimbabwe for 131, before Shafali Verma's 27-ball fifty and Pratika Rawal's unbeaten 59 wrapped up the chase in 17 overs. Zimbabwe captain Josephine Nkomo called for positivity, highlighting Gwanzura, Biza and Mupachikwa as bright spots from a winless tour.
Key Takeaways
India completed a 3-0 ODI series sweep over Zimbabwe in Vadodara on 28 October 2026 , also having won the T20I series without a loss.
Zimbabwe were bowled out for 131 in 39.5 overs ; Modester Mupachikwa top-scored with 37 .
Vaishnavi Sharma took 5 wickets for 39 runs to dismantle Zimbabwe's batting.
Shafali Verma smashed an unbeaten 51 off 27 balls and Pratika Rawal finished on 59 not out as India reached 135/2 in 17 overs .
Zimbabwe captain Josephine Nkomo credited Nyasha Gwanzura , Beloved Biza , and Mupachikwa as standout performers despite the winless tour.
India completed a dominant 3-0 sweep of the Women's ODI series against Zimbabwe on 28 October 2026 in Vadodara, bowlng the visitors out for 131 in 39.5 overs before chasing the target down in just 17 overs for the loss of two wickets. The result capped a clean sweep across both formats — India had earlier won the T20I series without dropping a match.
Zimbabwe's Batting Collapse
Zimbabwe's innings never gained momentum in the final ODI. Modester Mupachikwa top-scored with 37, while captain Josephine Nkomo contributed 35 and Chiedza Dhururu added 20. The rest of the batting order could not provide meaningful support, and the visitors were eventually dismissed for 131.
Vaishnavi Sharma led India's bowling attack with an impressive 5 wickets for 39 runs. Sayali Satghare and Kranti Gaud claimed two wickets apiece, ensuring Zimbabwe had no opportunity to post a competitive total.
India's Commanding Chase
India's openers made the chase look routine. Pratika Rawal finished unbeaten on 59, while Shafali Verma struck a blazing 51 not out off just 27 balls to seal the win with consummate ease. India reached 135 for 2 in 17 overs, completing a victory by eight wickets.
Nkomo Urges Positivity Despite Winless Tour
Despite the whitewash across both series, Zimbabwe captain Josephine Nkomo struck a determined note in her post-match assessment. 'Just to be more positive when we are playing. Keep that intent and keep pushing and keep improving day by day,' she said when asked for the team's key takeaways from the tour.
Nkomo acknowledged that individual performances offered cause for optimism. 'Like you mentioned, there are lots of positives. We had a couple of girls scoring fifties. We had good bowling innings, and our fielding was outstanding,' she said.
Standout Performers for Zimbabwe
The Zimbabwe captain singled out three players for special mention. 'I think Nyasha Gwanzura bowled quite well. Beloved Biza was good in both departments. Modester Mupachikwa was strong behind the stumps and in the batting as well. I think a couple of girls have put their hand up in the entire series,' Nkomo said.
For Zimbabwe, the tour — though winless — provided a competitive examination ahead of upcoming international commitments. India, by contrast, head into their next assignment having demonstrated depth across batting and bowling in both formats.
Point of View
But the margins matter for squad-building. Vaishnavi Sharma's five-wicket haul in the final ODI underlines the depth India now carry in spin bowling, with Satghare and Gaud offering credible backup. The more significant test will come against higher-ranked opposition, where Shafali Verma's explosive form at the top will need to be complemented by a more robust middle-order. For Zimbabwe, the tour's value lies precisely in these uncomfortable encounters — Nkomo's call for positivity is not denial, but a recognition that sustained exposure to top-tier opposition is the only route to competitive progress.
NationPress
28 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the 3rd Women's ODI between India and Zimbabwe in Vadodara?
India won the 3rd ODI by eight wickets in Vadodara on 28 October 2026, bowling Zimbabwe out for 131 and reaching the target of 135 in just 17 overs. The result completed a 3-0 ODI series sweep for India.
Who were the top performers for India in the final ODI?
Vaishnavi Sharma was the standout bowler with five wickets for 39 runs. With the bat, Pratika Rawal scored an unbeaten 59 and Shafali Verma hit 51 not out off 27 balls to seal the chase comfortably.
Did India win both the T20I and ODI series against Zimbabwe?
Yes, India completed a clean sweep across both formats during Zimbabwe's tour of India in 2026, winning every T20I and all three ODIs without a single defeat.
What did Zimbabwe captain Josephine Nkomo say after the series?
Nkomo urged her team to stay positive, keep their intent, and continue improving day by day. She highlighted the batting contributions of players who scored fifties, good bowling performances, and outstanding fielding as positives from the tour.
Which Zimbabwe players stood out during the India tour?
Captain Josephine Nkomo singled out Nyasha Gwanzura for her bowling, Beloved Biza for her all-round contributions, and Modester Mupachikwa for her wicketkeeping and batting as the standout performers across the two series.
