IND vs ZIM, 1st Women's ODI: Pratika Rawal smashed her third ODI century as India crushed Zimbabwe by nine wickets in their historic first-ever Women's ODI in Vadodara to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.Pratika Rawal helped India beat Zimbabwe by 9 wickets. Courtesy: BCCI WomenNew Delhi,Oct 23, 2026 20:19 ISTBrief Scores: India Women (201/1 in 27.1 overs) beat Zimbabwe Women (197 in 49.5 overs) by 9 wickets in Vadodara.Highlights | ScorecardPratika Rawal marked her return to the spotlight from an injury-disrupted period, smashing her third ODI century as India crushed Zimbabwe by nine wickets in their historic first-ever Women's ODI at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Friday.

The emphatic victory handed India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.Having battled injuries over the past 12 months, Rawal rose to the occasion with a commanding knock, guiding India to the target of 198 with 22.5 overs to spare. While the opener stole the show with the bat, Shree Charani set up the victory with a career-best bowling performance that kept Zimbabwe in check.

It was another memorable outing for Smriti Mandhana as India's full-time captain, with the team registering its fourth consecutive victory under her leadership.CHARANI LEADS INDIA'S BOWLING CHARGEIndia wasted little time in asserting their authority after being asked to bowl first, striking at regular intervals to prevent Zimbabwe from building momentum. Kranti Gaud provided the opening breakthrough by dismissing Kelis Ndhlovu before Charani struck twice, removing Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano and Modester Mupachikwa.

Deepti Sharma tightened the screws with a disciplined spell, dismissing Sharne Mayers and adding to Zimbabwe's growing troubles. With wickets falling at one end and the scoring rate under control, the visitors struggled to establish a solid platform.Charani, however, was the standout performer.

The left-arm spinner kept the batters guessing with her accuracy and variation, returning career-best ODI figures of 4 for 23 in 10 overs, including three maidens. Her spell ensured Zimbabwe could not post a more challenging total for the hosts.The match also marked the India debut of Jintimani Kalita.

The Assam pacer received her maiden cap from Harmanpreet Kaur and delivered a disciplined performance, conceding just 23 runs in five overs, although she could not pick up a wicket.BIZA FIGHTS BACK FOR ZIMBABWEWith Zimbabwe struggling to find their footing, 17-year-old Beloved Biza emerged as a bright spot for the visitors. The youngster showed impressive composure to score 62 off 92 balls, including five fours, holding the innings together as wickets tumbled around her.Biza found valuable support from Michelle Mavunga, who injected some urgency into the innings with a brisk 29.

Their efforts offered Zimbabwe a chance to recover after a difficult middle phase, but India were quick to regain control.Gaud dismissed Mavunga before ending Biza's resistance, dealing a decisive blow to Zimbabwe's hopes of a late flourish. The visitors' task had already been made harder by the absence of captain Josephine Nkomo, who missed the match due to a niggle.Deepti eventually wrapped up the innings by bowling Tendai Makusha in the final over, leaving India with a target that their batters would chase down with remarkable ease.PRATIKA SETS THE TONEIndia's response was emphatic from the outset, with Rawal taking the attack to Zimbabwe's bowlers and finding the boundaries with ease.

Her confident strokeplay ensured the hosts raced ahead of the required rate, putting the visitors under pressure almost immediately.Mandhana complemented her opening partner as the duo stitched together a commanding 94-run stand for the first wicket. While Rawal continued to find gaps and punish loose deliveries, the Indian captain gradually raised the tempo to keep the chase firmly on track.Zimbabwe finally found a breakthrough when Mandhana attempted to take on Olinder Chare but was caught by Biza at long-on for 32.

The dismissal briefly lifted the visitors, but the damage had already been done. Rawal was well set, and India's commanding start left Zimbabwe with little room to stage a comeback.SHAFALI JOINS THE PARTYAny hopes of a Zimbabwe revival quickly disappeared as Shafali Verma joined Rawal and turned the chase into a one-sided contest.

The pair combined Rawal's assured strokeplay with Shafali's explosive hitting, leaving the bowlers with few answers.Shafali wasted little time in shifting gears, taking on the spinners and racing to her half-century off just 29 balls. Her fearless approach kept the pressure firmly on Zimbabwe as India moved closer to the finish line.At the other end, Rawal remained composed and continued to pick her moments to attack.

With the century within reach, she struck consecutive boundaries off Tendai Makusha to bring up her third ODI hundred, capping a memorable performance.Shafali then finished the job in style, hitting a boundary down the ground off Nyasha Gwanzura. She remained unbeaten on 64 off 33 balls, with five fours and four sixes, while Rawal signed off on 100 not out from 96 deliveries, having struck 15 fours.The emphatic victory gave Mandhana another reason to celebrate her start as full-time captain, but the day belonged to Rawal, whose century powered India to a commanding win in a historic contest.

With a series lead secured, India will look to build on the momentum when the second ODI takes place on Sunday, October 25.- Ends