Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma struck magnificent centuries and shared a record 153-run fifth-wicket partnership as India recovered from a precarious 19/2 start to post an imposing 328/6 against Zimbabwe in the second women's ODI at the BCA Stadium, Vadodara, on Sunday, 25 October 2026. The total puts India firmly in the driver's seat to clinch the series with a game to spare.

Early Wobble and the Recovery Stand

Put in to bat, India's top order crumbled inside the first three overs. Smriti Mandhana was caught at short third after an ill-judged pull off Nomvelo Sibanda, and Shafali Verma (8) perished to a sharp low catch at midwicket off the same bowler — a decision upheld by the TV umpire. With India reeling at 19/2, the innings needed its senior batter to take charge.

Harmanpreet and Pratika Rawal steadied the ship with a composed 124-run third-wicket partnership. Pratika, who struck the first six of the match by lofting Tendai Makusha over long-on in the 10th over, brought up her fifty off 57 balls before holing out for 61 off 67 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes, after being dropped on 59. Tejal Hasabnis (3) fell shortly after, leaving India at a crossroads before the defining partnership took shape.

Harmanpreet's Record-Laden Eighth Hundred

The India captain was in imperious form despite being dropped three times during her innings. Harmanpreet brought up her fifty off 51 deliveries and moved through the nineties with a classy drive through extra cover before completing her century off 101 balls with a fine sweep off Beloved Biza in the 41st over. She characteristically kept her celebration low-key — settling for a handshake with Deepti as the dressing room rose in applause.

Harmanpreet was eventually dismissed for 126 off 121 balls, laced with 15 boundaries, caught at long-off off a slower, fuller delivery from Michelle Mavunga. It was her eighth ODI hundred — though the innings was not without its controversies, with Josephine Nkomo spilling a chance at short midwicket when she was on 66, and Sibanda grassing another at backward point later.

Deepti's Historic Knock at Number Six

While Harmanpreet anchored the chase, Deepti Sharma provided the acceleration. Built largely on the sweep shot — which fetched her 36 of her runs — Deepti raced to her fifty off just 37 balls in the 35th over and maintained relentless pressure on the Zimbabwe spinners. She brought up her second ODI hundred off 83 balls in the final over by sweeping Makusha between short fine leg and square leg, finishing unbeaten on 106 off 86 balls, studded with 15 boundaries.

Notably, Deepti's 83-ball century is the fifth fastest by an Indian women's batter in ODIs. More significantly, she became the first Indian woman to score a century batting at number six or lower in ODIs, going past Richa Ghosh's unbeaten 94 against South Africa at the 2025 ODI World Cup in Visakhapatnam.

Record Partnership Rewrites the Record Books

The 153-run stand off 137 balls between Harmanpreet and Deepti is now India women's highest partnership for the fifth wicket or lower in ODIs, surpassing the 122-run association between Sneh Rana and Pooja Vastrakar against Pakistan at the 2022 ODI World Cup. The pair carried India past the 300-mark in the 46th over, with Richa Ghosh (7) the only other wicket to fall before the innings closed.

Zimbabwe's fielding woes compounded their bowling struggles, with Tiripano hurting her right knee and captain Josephine Nkomo forced off the field after a diving stop. Nomvelo Sibanda was the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 38, while Nyasha Gwanzura claimed 1 for 43.

What Happens Next

Chasing 329 on a BCA Stadium surface that offered Zimbabwe's spinners some turn, the hosts face a daunting task. India are firm favourites to win the match and, should they do so, will clinch the three-match series with a game to spare. The third and final ODI is also scheduled in Vadodara.

Brief Scores: India 328/6 in 50 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 126, Deepti Sharma 106*; Nomvelo Sibanda 2/38, Nyasha Gwanzura 1/43) vs Zimbabwe.