Vaishnavi, Deepti spin India to 121-run win, seal ODI series vs Zimbabwe 2-0
Synopsis
Deepti Sharma scored an unbeaten 126... wait — an unbeaten 106, then returned to take 3-32. Vaishnavi Sharma announced herself on the international stage with a maiden four-wicket haul. Together, they sealed India's ODI series against Zimbabwe 2-0 with a game to spare — a comprehensive demonstration of India women's all-round depth in spin.
Key Takeaways
India beat Zimbabwe by 121 runs in the second women's ODI at BCA Stadium, Vadodara , on 25 October 2026 .
India sealed the three-match series 2-0 with a game to spare.
Harmanpreet Kaur scored 126 and Deepti Sharma hit an unbeaten 106 to power India to 328/6 .
Vaishnavi Sharma claimed a maiden international four-wicket haul , finishing with 4-39 .
Deepti Sharma followed her century with figures of 3-32 , narrowly missing a hat-trick.
Zimbabwe were bowled out for 207 in 48.5 overs , with Modester Mupachikwa (49) and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (46) top-scoring.
India sealed the three-match women's ODI series against Zimbabwe with a game to spare, crushing the visitors by 121 runs in the second ODI at the BCA Stadium, Vadodara, on 25 October 2026. Left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma claimed her maiden four-wicket haul in international cricket, while Deepti Sharma completed a stunning all-round display — an unbeaten century followed by three wickets — as India posted their second dominant performance in as many games to clinch the series 2-0.
India's commanding total
Centuries from Harmanpreet Kaur (126) and Deepti Sharma (106 not out) powered India to 328/6 in their allotted 50 overs, setting Zimbabwe a daunting target of 329. Nomvelo Sibanda was Zimbabwe's best bowler with figures of 2-38, but India's batting depth made the total look imposing from the outset.
Zimbabwe's bright start and India's spin trap
Modester Mupachikwa (49) and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (46) gave Zimbabwe a spirited start, adding 69 runs for the second wicket and initially keeping the hosts at bay. Mupachikwa was particularly aggressive early on, cracking two boundaries off the first two balls of the innings. However, once spinner N Sree Charani removed opener Loryn Phiri (6) in the ninth over, Zimbabwe's chase began to unravel against India's spin attack.
Vaishnavi Sharma's maiden four-wicket haul
Vaishnavi Sharma, who came into the eleven in place of the rested Kranti Gaud, turned the game decisively in India's favour through the middle overs. Bowling slower through the air and switching to over the wicket, she first claimed Mupachikwa for 49 — one short of a fifty — caught at backward point. She then trapped Beloved Biza (34) lbw after a successful DRS review, bowled Michelle Mavunga (3) with a flighted delivery that clipped the top of off-stump, and dismissed Zimbabwe captain Josephine Nkomo (20) lbw — again with DRS confirming the decision — to finish with impressive figures of 4-39 from 10 overs.
Deepti rounds off a match-defining all-round display
Deepti Sharma returned in the death overs to take 3-32, trapping Nyasha Gwanzura lbw and having Nomvelo Sibanda edge to slip off consecutive deliveries — narrowly missing a hat-trick before dismissing Tendai Makusha via a leading edge to backward point. Jintimani Kalita wrapped up the innings in the 49th over, also claiming her first ODI wicket when Chiedza Dhururu chipped straight to cover. Sayali Satghare also contributed with a wicket. Zimbabwe were eventually bowled out for 207 in 48.5 overs, falling 121 runs short.
What's next for India women
With the series already secured, the third and final ODI will offer India an opportunity to complete a clean sweep and give fringe players valuable game time. Notably, this series continues India's strong run of form against Zimbabwe and reinforces the depth in their women's squad — particularly the all-round quality in the spin department. The final match is a chance for selectors to assess squad options ahead of upcoming assignments.
Point of View
But the real story here is the emergence of Vaishnavi Sharma — a maiden four-wicket haul against an admittedly modest Zimbabwe lineup is still a statement of intent. India's women have quietly assembled exceptional spin depth, and Deepti's all-round performance underscores a pattern where the team's best players routinely contribute across disciplines. The concern for the series finale is whether India will use the final match to genuinely test bench strength, or play it safe — squad rotation ahead of bigger series matters more than a clean sweep on paper.
NationPress
26 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the 2nd women's ODI between India and Zimbabwe?
India beat Zimbabwe by 121 runs in the second women's ODI at BCA Stadium, Vadodara, on 25 October 2026, sealing the three-match series 2-0 with one game remaining. India scored 328/6 and bowled Zimbabwe out for 207 in 48.5 overs.
What did Vaishnavi Sharma achieve in the 2nd ODI against Zimbabwe?
Vaishnavi Sharma claimed her maiden four-wicket haul in international cricket, finishing with figures of 4-39 from 10 overs. The left-arm spinner came into the playing eleven as a replacement for the rested Kranti Gaud and was the pick of India's bowlers in the middle overs.
How did Deepti Sharma perform in the match?
Deepti Sharma delivered an outstanding all-round performance, scoring an unbeaten 106 with the bat and then taking 3-32 with the ball. She came close to a hat-trick in the death overs after dismissing Nyasha Gwanzura and Nomvelo Sibanda off consecutive deliveries.
Who top-scored for Zimbabwe in the chase?
Modester Mupachikwa top-scored for Zimbabwe with 49 runs, while Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano contributed 46. The pair added 69 runs for the second wicket but could not sustain the chase against India's spin attack.
What happens in the third and final ODI?
The third ODI between India and Zimbabwe is the series finale, with India already holding an unassailable 2-0 lead. The match offers India a chance for a clean sweep and an opportunity for selectors to assess fringe players ahead of future assignments.
