Smriti Mandhana hails bowlers as India sweep Zimbabwe 3-0 in ODI series
Synopsis
India women completed a 3-0 ODI sweep of Zimbabwe in Vadodara — capping a six-win tour that also included a T20I whitewash. Vaishnavi Sharma's last-ball fifer and Shafali Verma's 51 off 27 balls were the highlights, with Smriti Mandhana calling it a 'good start' to India's Women's ODI Championship campaign for the next World Cup.
Key Takeaways
India completed a 3-0 ODI series sweep of Zimbabwe in Vadodara on 28 October 2026 , winning the third ODI by eight wickets .
Vaishnavi Sharma claimed 5 wickets for 39 runs , including the final delivery of Zimbabwe's innings, as the visitors were bowled out for 131 .
Sayali Satghare and Kranti Gaud took two wickets each to support the bowling effort.
Shafali Verma scored an unbeaten 51 off 27 balls and Pratika Rawal remained not out on 59 as India chased 132 in just 17 overs .
Yastika Bhatia and Harleen Deol were given batting opportunities in the reshuffled order to gain game time ahead of the Women's ODI World Cup cycle.
India also swept the preceding T20I series, completing a 6-0 tour result overall.
India captain Smriti Mandhana lauded her bowling unit after the side completed a dominant 3-0 ODI series sweep against Zimbabwe in Vadodara on 28 October 2026, with the skipper describing the clean sweep as a 'good start' to India's Women's ODI Championship campaign ahead of the next Women's ODI World Cup. The victory in the third and final ODI came by eight wickets, completing a double sweep after India had already claimed the preceding T20I series.
Vaishnavi Sharma's five-wicket haul dismantles Zimbabwe
Vaishnavi Sharma was the standout performer with the ball, claiming 5 wickets for 39 runs — including the pivotal final delivery of Zimbabwe's innings. Sayali Satghare and Kranti Gaud chipped in with two wickets each as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 131 in 39.5 overs. Mandhana was particularly vocal in her appreciation, noting that the last-ball fifer added a special touch to the dismissal. 'Really happy that she got a fifer on the last ball,' the captain said.
India cruise to target in 17 overs
Chasing 132, India overhauled the target in just 17 overs, finishing at 135 for 2. Shafali Verma blazed an unbeaten 51 off 27 balls, reaching her half-century in 26 deliveries, while Pratika Rawal remained unbeaten on 59. Harleen Deol, given an opportunity in the reshuffled batting order, contributed 19 runs before the chase was sealed with ease.
Opportunities for fringe players
The low-pressure chase allowed the team management to experiment. Yastika Bhatia, returning to ODI cricket after a lengthy absence, was promoted to open. Mandhana explained the rationale: 'Yastika has not played in the ODIs for a long time. We really wanted to have her bat; if we had batted first, we would have kept the same line-up. With 130, we thought she should be opening, and the same for Harleen.' Both players benefited from the game time ahead of the World Cup cycle.
India's message to the World Cup field
Mandhana acknowledged Zimbabwe's competitive effort — particularly in the field — but stressed that India's intent throughout the tour was dominance. 'Zimbabwe fielded really well and played some good cricket, but we just wanted to go out there and dominate. Apart from the first T20I, we did that,' she said. The captain also highlighted a deliberate tactical emphasis on stump-to-stump bowling from the pacers. This comprehensive tour result — six wins across six matches — positions India as an early statement-maker in the Women's ODI Championship standings.
Point of View
But the details matter more than the scoreline. India used all six fixtures to test depth — promoting Yastika Bhatia to open and handing Harleen Deol game time — suggesting the team management is already thinking in World Cup cycles, not just bilateral results. Vaishnavi Sharma's last-ball fifer is a genuine confidence-builder for a spinner fighting for a spot in a packed attack. The more interesting question is whether these dominant performances against lower-ranked opposition will translate when India meets Australia or England in the Championship — teams that will not capitulate for 131.
NationPress
28 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the 3rd ODI between India and Zimbabwe?
India won the third ODI by eight wickets in Vadodara on 28 October 2026, completing a 3-0 series sweep. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 131, and India chased down 132 in just 17 overs.
How did Vaishnavi Sharma perform in the third ODI?
Vaishnavi Sharma took five wickets for 39 runs, including a crucial last-ball dismissal to complete her fifer. Captain Smriti Mandhana singled her out for special praise after the match.
Who were India's top scorers in the chase?
Pratika Rawal top-scored with an unbeaten 59, while Shafali Verma struck an aggressive 51 not out off just 27 balls, reaching her half-century in 26 deliveries. Harleen Deol added 19 runs.
Why was Yastika Bhatia promoted to open in the third ODI?
With India chasing a low target of 132, the team management promoted Yastika Bhatia — who had been out of ODI cricket for an extended period — to give her batting time in the format. Captain Mandhana said the same lineup would have been retained had India batted first.
How does the series result impact India's Women's ODI Championship campaign?
The 3-0 series win gives India three points in the Women's ODI Championship, which serves as the qualification pathway for the next Women's ODI World Cup. Mandhana described it as a 'good start' to that campaign.
