India Women vs Zimbabwe Women: Team India secured a one-sided victory over Zimbabwe at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. After bundling out Zimbabwe for just 133 runs, Team India chased down the target in only 17 overs, losing just 2 wickets.
With this, the Indian team completed a 3-0 clean sweep of the ODI series, following their 3-0 clean sweep in the T20 series. Team India’s performance against Zimbabwe was flawless.
How the Third T20 Was Won
Team India won the third T20 with great ease. Chasing a target of 132 runs, the Indian team lost the wicket of Yastika Bhatia on the very first ball, but Pratika Rawal held her ground at the crease. She, along with Harleen Deol, stitched together a partnership of 59 runs off 52 balls.
Harleen Deol could only score 19 runs. However, Shafali Verma then stepped in and smashed an unbeaten 51 off just 26 balls, featuring 3 sixes and 6 fours. Pratika Rawal also played a solid innings, scoring 59 runs off 56 balls. Together, the pair built a partnership of 74 runs off 50 balls.
Vaishnavi Sharma’s Stellar Performance
Vaishnavi Sharma wreaked havoc with her bowling, claiming five wickets against Zimbabwe. With this feat, she became the second-youngest Indian female cricketer to take a five-wicket haul in an ODI match.
Vaishnavi set this record at the age of 20 years and 314 days. She is the youngest Indian female cricketer in the last decade to achieve a five-wicket haul in an ODI. Deepti Sharma remains the youngest Indian female bowler to accomplish this; in 2016, she took 6 wickets for 20 runs in 9.2 overs against Sri Lanka in Ranchi.
Vaishnavi also made a significant impact in the previous match. In the second ODI, she took 4 wickets for 39 runs in 10 overs, including one maiden over. India won that match by 121 runs, securing an unassailable 2–0 lead in the series.
A Stellar Performance Against Zimbabwe
Vaishnavi maintained her rhythm and confidence in Wednesday’s match as well. From the very beginning, she kept the Zimbabwean batters under pressure. She claimed the wicket of Belvedere Biza for just one run; Biza had stepped forward, attempting to play a shot, but was caught out—Harmanpreet Kaur took an easy catch at mid-on. Next, Vaishnavi outfoxed Modester Mupachika, who was looking to go on the attack. Vaishnavi slowed the delivery and bowled it wide, drawing the batter forward; Mupachika missed the ball, and wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia promptly completed a stumping. Mupachika had scored 37 runs.
Vaishnavi also accounted for Chiedza Dhururu, who had stepped out of her crease in an attempt to play an across-the-line shot. Dhururu lost her balance, and the ball took the edge of her bat, popping up into the air Jintimani Kalita took an easy catch at extra cover.
Michelle Mavunga became Vaishnavi’s fourth victim when she attempted to loft the ball over the fielders. Harleen Deol took the catch at deep mid-on, bringing Vaishnavi to the brink of a five-wicket haul.
Vaishnavi delivered her best in the final overs of her spell. After narrowly missing out on a fifth wicket in an earlier over, she returned to dismiss Nyasha Gwanzura. The Zimbabwean batter attempted an across-the-line shot, but the ball took an inside edge, struck her shoe, and ricocheted onto the stumps.
With this wicket, Vaishnavi completed her five-wicket haul. Her variations in flight, pace, and turn consistently troubled the Zimbabwean batters. Thanks to their brilliant performance, India bowled out the visiting team for 131 runs in 39.5 overs.
