India Women produced a commanding all-round performance to defeat Zimbabwe Women by 121 runs in the second ODI at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Sunday, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Electing to bat, India overcame an early setback as Smriti Mandhana fell for a duck and Shafali Verma managed only eight. Pratika Rawal steadied the innings with a composed 61 off 67 balls, adding 124 runs for the third wicket with captain Harmanpreet Kaur.
Harmanpreet then took charge, striking a magnificent 126 off 121 deliveries, including 15 boundaries. After Tejal Hasabnis departed for three, Deepti Sharma joined the captain to transform India’s innings. The pair added 153 runs for the fifth wicket before Harmanpreet was dismissed at 301.
Deepti continued the assault, bringing up her second ODI century and finishing unbeaten on 106 off 86 balls, with 15 fours. Their outstanding contributions propelled India to an imposing 328 for six in 50 overs.
Zimbabwe began the chase positively despite losing Loryn Phiri for six. Modester Mupachikwa and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano offered resistance, sharing a valuable partnership. Mupachikwa scored 49 off 70 balls, while Mugeri-Tiripano contributed 46 from 57 deliveries. Beloved Biza added 34, keeping Zimbabwe in contention through the middle overs.
However, Vaishnavi Sharma changed the course of the innings with a superb spell. The left-arm spinner claimed four wickets for 39 runs, dismissing Mupachikwa, Biza, Josephine Nkomo and Michelle Mavunga. Sayali Satghare also struck to remove Mugeri-Tiripano, disrupting Zimbabwe’s recovery.
Deepti Sharma delivered another decisive blow with the ball, taking three wickets for 32 runs. She dismissed Nyasha Gwanzura, Nomvelo Sibanda and Tendai Makusha as Zimbabwe’s lower order collapsed. Jintimani Kalita picked up a wicket, and the visitors were eventually bowled out for 207 in 48.5 overs.
India’s 121-run victory secured the ODI series with one match remaining. Harmanpreet and Deepti’s centuries, complemented by Vaishnavi’s impressive bowling, ensured a comprehensive triumph for the hosts.
Brief Scores: India Women 328/6 in 50 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 126, Deepti Sharma 106*, Pratika Rawal 61; Nomvelo Sibanda 2/38) beat Zimbabwe Women 207 all out in 48.5 overs (Modester Mupachikwa 49, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano 46; Vaishnavi Sharma 4/39, Deepti Sharma 3/32) by 121 runs. Player of the Match: Harmanpreet Kaur.
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