Rawal century, Shree Charani four-for hand India comfortable win

India may not have played the format for close to eight months, but they showed little signs of rustiness in their first-ever ODI against Zimbabwe. The current ODI world champions, playing only their second series since their maiden World Cup triumph in November 2025, brushed the tourists aside with ease at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara for a nine-wicket win.

N Shree Charani and Kranti Gaud shared seven wickets between them to bowl Zimbabwe out for 197 before Pratika Rawal led the chase with her third ODI century as India romped home with 22.5 overs to spare. Rawal finished on an unbeaten 100 off 96 balls while Shafali Verma blitzed her way to an unbeaten 64 off only 33 balls.

Rawal reunited with Smriti Mandhana, who was leading in an ODI for the first time since being appointed full-time captain and got India off to a flying start. She was aided by some wayward bowling - Nomvelo Sibanda, standing in for Josephine Nkomo, who was out with a niggle, strayed on the pads repeatedly. India galloped to 48 for 0 in five overs before the spinners started to get the dot balls in.

Rawal, who was on 37 off 29 at one point, slowed down a little and got to her fifty off her 54th ball. She added 94 for the opening wicket with Mandhana, who holed out to long-on in a bid to take on Olinder Chare's legspin. Then Shafali, batting at No. 3 for only the second time in ODIs, raised India's scoring rate. She raced to fifty off just 29 balls despite not getting the benefit of the field restrictions of the first ten overs. She was particularly severe on Chare, scoring 43 off 19 against her. Such was her breakneck scoring speed that it left Rawal just enough runs eventually to complete her century.

With Rawal on 89 and India 32 away, Shafali hit three sixes in an over against Chare that went for 20. Rawal then hit Tendai Makusha for successive fours in the 27th over to bring up her century. Shafali finished the game with a lofted hit over offspinner Nyasha Gwanzura's head to complete India's win.