Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma smashed magnificent centuries, while young spinner Vaishnavi Sharma starred with the ball as India defeated Zimbabwe by 121 runs in the second ODI to clinch the three-match series 2-0 in Vadodara. India posted an imposing 328 for 6 after recovering from an early collapse, with Harmanpreet scoring 126 off 121 balls and Deepti remaining unbeaten on 106 off 86 deliveries. Vaishnavi then claimed four wickets for 39 runs in just her second ODI, helping India bowl out Zimbabwe in the 49th over. The victory also marked Smriti Mandhana's first series win as India's full-time ODI captain. Harmanpreet and Deepti Rescue India After Early Collapse India's innings got off to a disastrous start as captain Smriti Mandhana was dismissed for a duck in the opening over. Shafali Verma followed soon after, leaving the hosts struggling at 19 for 2. Harmanpreet counterattacked with a series of well-timed boundaries, while Pratika Rawal provided stability at the other end. Rawal scored a valuable 61 off 67 balls, bringing up her ninth ODI half-century off 57 deliveries. The pair added 124 runs for the third wicket to revive India's innings before Zimbabwe struck twice in quick succession. Rawal was caught at deep midwicket for 61, while Tejal Hasabnis fell shortly afterwards, leaving India at 149 for 4. With the innings in danger of losing momentum, Deepti joined Harmanpreet and launched a decisive counterattack. She targeted the spinners with sweeps and cuts, racing from 16 to 55 in just 23 balls. Record Partnership Takes India Past 300 Harmanpreet and Deepti combined experience with aggressive strokeplay to turn the match firmly in India's favour. Their unbeaten momentum through the middle overs helped India recover from the early setbacks, as the duo put together a record 155-run fifth-wicket partnership for India in women's ODIs. Harmanpreet brought up her eighth ODI century off 102 balls in the 41st over. She continued to accelerate before being dismissed for 126 in the 47th over, having struck 15 boundaries. Deepti carried on the assault, reaching her century in the final over by sweeping Tendai Makusha for four. She struck another boundary off the next delivery to finish unbeaten on 106, also hitting 15 fours. Her second ODI hundred came 3,450 days after her maiden century in 2017, marking the second-longest gap between centuries in women's ODIs. Her score was also the second-highest individual innings by a batter at No. 6 or lower in the format. India eventually finished with 328 for 6, setting Zimbabwe a challenging target of 329. Zimbabwe Fight Back Before India's Spinners Take Control Zimbabwe began their chase positively, with Modester Mupachikwa attacking the Indian seamers and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano taking on the spinners. Although N. Shree Charani dismissed Phiri for six, the visitors continued to score freely. Mupachikwa and Mugeri-Tiripano added 69 runs for the second wicket, taking Zimbabwe to 107 for 1 in the 22nd over. Mugeri-Tiripano scored 46 off 57 balls before Sayali Satghare bowled her in the 23rd over. Vaishnavi Sharma then delivered the breakthrough India needed, dismissing Mupachikwa for 49 off 70 balls in the 28th over. The wicket was the young left-arm spinner's maiden ODI scalp. Vaishnavi's Four-Wicket Haul Seals the Victory Vaishnavi followed up her first wicket with an impressive spell of spin bowling, varying her pace and flight to trouble Zimbabwe's middle order. She dismissed Beloved Biza for 34 after India successfully reviewed an lbw decision, bowled Michelle Mavunga in the 40th over and trapped captain Josephine Nkomo lbw for 22 in the 42nd. Deepti then struck twice in successive deliveries in the 46th over, dismissing Gwanzura lbw and having Sibanda caught at slip by Hasabnis. She finished with three wickets to complement her match-winning century. Zimbabwe's resistance faded as wickets fell at regular intervals, and the visitors were bowled out in the 49th over, 121 runs short of India's total. India Look Ahead After Dominant Series Win India's victory showcased the team's batting depth and bowling strength, with Harmanpreet and Deepti delivering under pressure before Vaishnavi emerged as a promising performer with the ball. The 2-0 series lead under Mandhana's captaincy provides India with further momentum, while the performances of the experienced batters and the young spinner offer plenty of positives heading into their next assignments.

India began their first-ever ODI series against Zimbabwe in dominant fashion, securing a comprehensive nine-wicket victory at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. Pratika Rawal scored an unbeaten century, while Shafali Verma smashed a quickfire 64 not out to guide the hosts to victory with 22.5 overs to spare. India, the reigning ODI world champions, showed no signs of rust despite not playing the format for nearly eight months. Their bowlers restricted Zimbabwe to 197 runs before the batters completed a comfortable chase, reaching 200 for one. Rawal remained unbeaten on 100 off 96 deliveries, registering her third ODI century. Shafali provided the finishing touch with an explosive 64 off just 33 balls, while N Shree Charani and Kranti Gaud starred with the ball, claiming four and three wickets respectively. Shree Charani and Gaud Lead India's Bowling Attack After winning the toss and opting to bat, Zimbabwe suffered an early setback when Gaud dismissed opener Loryn Phiri. The Indian pacer induced a top edge with a short delivery and completed a diving catch off her own bowling. Modester Mupachikwa and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano helped Zimbabwe recover, taking the team to 46 for one during the first powerplay. However, India's spinners soon tightened their grip on the contest. Mupachikwa, who benefited from a dropped catch early in her innings, struggled to maintain momentum and was dismissed for 25 off 43 balls. Shree Charani broke through with her left-arm spin, while Deepti Sharma also played a crucial role in containing the scoring. Beloved Biza emerged as Zimbabwe's leading batter, scoring 62 runs and recording her fourth ODI half-century. At 17 years and 291 days, she became the second-youngest woman, after England's Sarah Taylor, to score an ODI half-century against India. Zimbabwe were struggling at 140 for six at the start of the 36th over when Michelle Mavunga injected some momentum with an entertaining 29 off 23 balls. However, Shree Charani ended her resistance with a catch taken by Jintimani Kalita at long-on. Gaud then dismissed Biza as Zimbabwe attempted to accelerate towards the end of their innings. The visitors were eventually bowled out for 197, with Shree Charani finishing with figures of four for 23 and Gaud claiming three for 42. Rawal's Century and Shafali's Explosive Knock Seal Victory India's chase got off to a flying start as Smriti Mandhana and Rawal put on 94 runs for the opening wicket. Mandhana, leading India in an ODI for the first time since being appointed full-time captain, looked to build a strong foundation before falling for a long-on catch while attempting to attack leg-spinner Olinder Chare. Rawal initially scored at a brisk pace before slowing down to reach her half-century off 54 deliveries. Her innings provided stability at one end, allowing Shafali to launch an aggressive assault after coming in at No. 3. Shafali, batting in the position for only the second time in ODIs, raced to her half-century off just 29 balls. She was particularly severe on Chare, scoring 43 runs off just 19 deliveries against the leg-spinner. With India needing only 32 runs and Rawal on 89, Shafali smashed three sixes in an over off Chare, which cost Zimbabwe 20 runs. Rawal then struck Tendai Makusha for consecutive boundaries in the 27th over to bring up her century. Shafali remained unbeaten on 64, finishing the match in style with a lofted shot over off-spinner Nyasha Gwanzura's head. India reached 200 for one in just 27.1 overs, completing a convincing victory. Positive Start to Mandhana's Captaincy The victory marked a successful beginning to Mandhana's tenure as India's full-time ODI captain. The team adapted comfortably to the red-soil pitch at Kotambi Stadium, which had previously been a black-soil surface. India's dominant performance highlighted their depth in both batting and bowling, with Rawal's composed century complementing Shafali's attacking stroke play and the bowlers' disciplined effort. For Zimbabwe, Biza's half-century and Mavunga's late cameo offered some positives, but the team struggled to contain India's powerful batting lineup. India will look to build on this commanding performance as the series against Zimbabwe continues.

Harmanpreet Kaur is keen to embrace a new phase of her career, focusing on enjoying her batting without the added pressure of captaincy. The veteran Indian batter expressed her thoughts after smashing a match-winning 41-ball 91 in the third T20I against Zimbabwe in Raipur. Harmanpreet, who stepped down as India's captain earlier this month, said she wanted to make the most of her time in the middle and enjoy playing the game. "I don't think there is any pressure anymore. I think now it's all about enjoying myself on the field, and that's what I want to do," Harmanpreet said during the post-match presentation. "I definitely enjoy myself in the middle, and this is what I'm here for. I just want to enjoy my batting, and good that those runs came." The 37-year-old handed over the captaincy to Smriti Mandhana after leading India for several years. Her innings against Zimbabwe also marked a welcome return to form, coming after she had gone eight innings without scoring a half-century. Coming in at No. 4 in the eighth over, Harmanpreet initially took a cautious approach, managing just one boundary from her first 12 deliveries. However, she soon shifted gears, taking 20 runs off Kudzai Chigora's over, which featured two fours and two sixes. Harmanpreet credited her first boundary, a drive past extra cover off Loryn Phiri, for giving her the confidence to accelerate. "I think the first ball when I hit for a four, that time I realised it's a good pitch and the bat was coming nicely to the ball. I think I got a lot of confidence from that shot, and then I just thought, let me just keep going and let's see how it goes," she said. Nets Work Helps Harmanpreet Find Rhythm Harmanpreet also highlighted the importance of her preparation in the nets, particularly the work she has done with batting coach Himanshu. She explained that repeatedly practising her natural bat swing and simulating match pressure during training had helped her feel more comfortable at the crease. "I think bat swing is something which is my key, and I just want to keep repeating that in the nets," she said, while crediting her batting coach for understanding her strengths and helping her improve. According to Harmanpreet, her coach encourages her to experience the same pressure during practice that she might encounter in a match, ensuring she does not feel additional pressure when playing competitively. She added that the approach had worked well and helped her focus on her natural game. Mandhana Backs Batting Rotation Meanwhile, India captain Smriti Mandhana expressed satisfaction with the team's decision to rotate the batting order and provide more players with valuable time in the middle. India had struggled to get going in the opening match, while the middle order had limited opportunities in the second game. Mandhana said the changes would help players build confidence and gain match practice. "In the first match, we could not get going again, the top order as well. Then in the second match, the middle order did not get an opportunity to bat, so it's always good to have some game time and some runs behind your back," Mandhana said. Mandhana herself did not bat in the third T20I, with Anushka Sharma opening alongside Shafali Verma as India experimented with different combinations. India Explore Bowling Options Ahead of Champions Trophy Mandhana was also encouraged by the team's growing depth in bowling, with players such as Shafali Verma and Niki Prasad getting opportunities to contribute with the ball. With conditions expected to be affected by dew in the coming months, the Indian captain stressed the importance of having multiple bowling options available. "The bowling options are looking good for sure. We were all looking at a way where dew is playing its part again. We're going to have the next three months going ahead, there's going to be a lot of dew till we approach the Champions Trophy, so the kind of combination we need and the bowlers, the more the merrier," Mandhana said. She added that she was pleased with the contributions from Niki Prasad, Shafali and the other players who stepped up with the ball. India will use the upcoming matches to fine-tune their combinations and prepare for the inaugural six-team T20I Champions Trophy, scheduled for February next year, with Mumbai and Vadodara set to host the tournament. For Harmanpreet, however, the immediate focus is clear: enjoying her batting, trusting her preparation and making the most of this new chapter after stepping away from the demands of international captaincy.

India secured a commanding nine-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the second T20I, sealing the series with a dominant all-round performance led by the bowlers, Shafali Verma and captain Smriti Mandhana. Chasing a modest target of 103, India reached 105 for 1 in just 8.5 overs, with 67 balls to spare. After winning the toss, Zimbabwe opted to bat but struggled against India's disciplined bowling attack on a slow and gripping Raipur pitch. The visitors managed only 102 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs, with Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano top-scoring with 34 off 32 balls, while captain Josephine Nkomo contributed 27 off 35 deliveries. India's bowlers maintained tight lines and lengths throughout the innings, restricting Zimbabwe to just 20 for 1 in the powerplay. Kranti Gaud and Nandani Sharma shared the new ball, making effective use of the movement in the air and assistance from the surface. Nandani Sharma dismissed opener Kelis Ndhlovu for a duck, while Deepti Sharma accounted for Beloved Biza shortly after the powerplay. Zimbabwe struggled to build momentum, with 71 dot balls highlighting their difficulties against India's bowling attack. Mugeri-Tiripano attempted to revive the innings through reverse sweeps and well-placed shots, but India's fielding lapses offered her two reprieves. India eventually regained control through Niki Prasad, who struck with her first two legitimate deliveries to dismiss Mugeri-Tiripano and Nyasha Gwanzura. Prasad became only the fourth bowler in women's internationals to take two wickets with her first two legitimate balls. Mandhana rotated seven bowling options, with five bowlers claiming at least one wicket, as India successfully restricted Zimbabwe to a below-par total. Shafali and Mandhana Dominate the Chase India's response was aggressive from the outset, as Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana produced a blistering opening partnership of 96 runs. The duo took India to 76 without loss in the powerplay, capitalising on Zimbabwe's wayward bowling and finding boundaries with remarkable ease. Shafali led the charge with a powerful 55 off just 24 deliveries, striking boundaries and clearing the ropes with confidence. She reached her half-century before being dismissed in the eighth over, with India needing only seven more runs to win. Mandhana remained unbeaten on 47 off 25 balls, showcasing excellent timing, footwork and an impressive range of attacking strokes. Her standout moment came in the fifth over, when she struck offspinner Nyasha Gwanzura for four consecutive boundaries. Anushka Sharma managed just one run before Mandhana finished the contest in style, launching a six over extra cover to seal the victory and her first series win as India's full-time captain. India Build Momentum Under Mandhana The emphatic victory marked a strong response from India after their batting collapse in the opening T20I, when they were reduced to 19 for 4 during the chase. This time, the Indian bowlers kept Zimbabwe under pressure before the opening pair made short work of the target. The result underlined India's bowling depth and the attacking potential of their top order, while also giving Mandhana a memorable milestone early in her tenure as full-time captain. With a disciplined bowling display followed by a ruthless batting performance, India secured the series in convincing fashion, leaving Zimbabwe with little opportunity to recover after their below-par first innings.

India all-rounder Deepti Sharma has praised debutant Niki Prasad for her impressive performance in the first T20I against Zimbabwe, saying the youngster showed remarkable confidence despite making her international debut in a high-pressure situation. India secured a comfortable six-wicket victory in the match in Raipur, chasing down Zimbabwe’s target of 115 with four wickets in hand and 26 balls to spare. However, the hosts faced an early setback after Zimbabwe were restricted to 114, as off-spinner Nyasha Gwanzura picked up three wickets in her first two overs to leave India struggling at 19 for 4. Deepti and Prasad then stepped up under pressure, stitching together a crucial 82-run partnership for the fifth wicket to guide India to victory. Deepti scored 49 off 37 balls, while Prasad remained unbeaten on 39 off 35 deliveries in an impressive debut performance. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Deepti lauded the young batter’s composure and maturity. "Niki played really well. Honestly, it didn't seem at all like she was making her debut. It felt like she had played quite a few matches in the past, for the country," Deepti said. She further praised Prasad’s ability to build a partnership when the team needed it most, adding that the performance would give the youngster significant confidence for the matches ahead. Deepti Says India Remained Calm Despite Early Wickets Despite losing four wickets inside the first few overs, Deepti insisted that there was no panic in the Indian dressing room. She explained that the players focused on assessing the situation and finding a way to rebuild the innings. "To tell you the truth, the two of us were there, there was Richa Ghosh as well, batting behind us. It didn't feel like a situation where anything could happen. We took a bit of a pause at that moment, and thought about what to do next," she said. Deepti also emphasised that facing challenging situations was an important part of a team’s development. According to her, handling pressure helps players grow stronger individually and collectively. She added that such situations were necessary from time to time and that India successfully turned a difficult position into a match-winning opportunity. Deepti Backs India’s Aggressive Batting Approach India’s early collapse was largely the result of attacking shots that failed to produce the desired outcome. However, Deepti defended the team’s aggressive approach, stating that the side would continue to play positive cricket despite occasional setbacks. "Of course, we want to play an aggressive brand of cricket, and that was in our mind. Occasionally these things happen in a match. There is no god who gives you exactly what you want. But we always learn from our innings and our matches," she said. The experienced all-rounder expressed confidence that the team would learn from its mistakes and improve in the upcoming matches. Deepti Disappointed at Missing Half-Century Deepti narrowly missed out on a half-century after scoring 49, falling to a top-edged sweep shot when India needed just 14 runs for victory. Reflecting on her dismissal, she admitted that she was disappointed at not being able to finish the match herself. "At that moment I felt bad for not finishing the match. I had thought I should build a partnership, take us close to the target, and then finish, but I made a small mistake," Deepti said. Nevertheless, her valuable contribution, alongside Prasad’s composed innings, ensured India overcame an early batting collapse to take a 1-0 lead in the T20I series against Zimbabwe.