India Women delivered an all-round masterclass at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara, bulldozing Zimbabwe Women by 121 runs in the second One-Day International (ODI). The emphatic win saw hosts taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series with a match to spare.
India seal series with 121-run win over Zimbabwe in 2nd ODI
Riding on magnificent centuries from former skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (126) and star all-rounder Deepti Sharma (106)*, India amassed a towering total of 328/6 in their stipulated 50 overs. In reply, Zimbabwe mounted a spirited effort but were ultimately bowled out for 207 in 48.5 overs, wilting under the pressure of Vaishnavi Sharma's four-wicket spell (4/39) and Deepti Sharma’s clever spin bowling (3/38).
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Harmanpreet & Deepti lead India's dominant batting display with robust tons
Electing to bat, India experienced a dramatic top-order wobble in the opening overs. Zimbabwe fast bowler Nomvelo Sibanda provided early breakthroughs, removing skipper Smriti Mandhana with a mistimed pull shot in the first over before dismissing Shafali Verma at mid-wicket to leave India reeling at 18/2.
Opener Pratika Rawal (61 off 67 balls) joined forces with Harmanpreet Kaur to stabilise the innings. Rawal played a polished knock featuring elegant drives on both sides of the wicket, building a pivotal 124-run partnership for the third wicket. Although Rawal was caught at deep mid-wicket off a miscue in the 23rd over, her innings provided the solid platform India required.
Playing without the added pressure of captaincy, Harmanpreet Kaur crafted an exquisite knock of 126 off 118 balls. She survived early reprieves, surviving dropped catches to punishing the Zimbabwean attack through the mid-overs. Shifted gears after reaching her half-century off 62 balls, targeting the spin attack through long-on and mid-wicket. She reached her eighth ODI century with a lofted boundary, anchoring India's middle overs with authority.
When Tejal Hasabnis and Richa Ghosh fell early, Deepti Sharma walked in to join Harmanpreet for a historic 5th-wicket partnership. Deepti accelerated effortlessly, bringing up her 2nd ODI century off just 86 balls. Her unbeaten 106 included 15 precise boundaries, powering India past the 320-run threshold to finish on a massive total of 328/6.
Zimbabwe falters against Indian spin duo of Vaishnavi, Deepti
Chasing a daunting target of 329, Zimbabwe started cautiously against India's opening pacers. Openers Modester Mupachikwa (48) and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (42) put together an impressive 82-run partnership, frustrating India's initial bowling plans.
The entry of young slow left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma completely shifted the momentum.The Breakthrough: Vaishnavi broke the opening stand by drawing Mugeri-Tiripano into a miscue to short extra cover.Middle-Order Collapse: She picked up two quick wickets in her second spell, finishing with outstanding figures of 4/39 in 10 overs (1 maiden)
Complementing her heroics with the bat, Deepti Sharma bowled tight, stump-to-stump lines, taking 3/38 in 9.5 overs. Zimbabwe were eventually bowled out for 207 in 48.5 overs, giving India a resounding 121-run victory.
Records scripted during IND vs ZIM 2nd ODI
Two Centuries in a WODI Innings for India: Harmanpreet Kaur (126) and Deepti Sharma (106*) became only the third Indian pair in Women’s ODI history to score individual hundreds in the same innings.
Highest 5th-Wicket Partnership for India Women: The 153-run stand between Harmanpreet and Deepti set a new record for the highest 5th-wicket partnership for India Women in ODI history.
8th ODI Hundred for Harmanpreet Kaur: Harmanpreet registered her 8th ODI century, moving into second place on the list of most centuries scored by an Indian batter in Women's ODIs.
All-Round Performance Milestone: Deepti Sharma became only the second Indian woman cricketer to score a century and take 3 or more wickets in the same ODI match.
Career-Best Figures for Vaishnavi Sharma: Vaishnavi registered her maiden international 4-wicket haul in ODIs with figures of 4/39.
Captains' post-match reactions
"I'm a bit sore. Tonight, have a lot of work to do with the physio. Today we bowled well in the powerplay, some decent lines, way better than the last game. Our death bowling today was a bit spot on, which is a positive. In the batting, we had starts, we just failed to convert. I thought we were a bit tentative when we got into the 40s, I felt they could have continued, turning those 40s into 50s and 50s into hundreds," Zimbabwe skipper Josephine Nkomo said.
"Today's biggest positive, from 19/2, to get 300-plus - credit to Harman, Pratika, and Deepti the way they batted. Was brilliant to watch. She's (Deepti) been batting brilliantly. Vaishnavi was brilliant, she was varying her pace and changing the angles. She knows her game very well which is always good to have as a captain. And the other bowlers chipped in as well. In white ball cricket, I think 4-5 overs is still a long spell considering the heat. Of course today it was not that hot. Otherwise as well, you don't want the batters to get used to it. The kind of quality we have in our bowling line-up, they can come in and bowl in good areas any time," India captain Smriti Mandhana said.
When and where to watch India women vs Zimbabwe women 3rd ODI?
The 3rd ODI between India Women and Zimbabwe Women is set to take place at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara.
Match Schedule & Timing
Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Match Start Time: 1:30 PM IST (Indian Standard Time)
Toss Time: 1:00 PM IST
TV Broadcast Channels
In India, the live telecast of the 3rd ODI will be available on the Sports18 network. Fans can tune into Sports18 1 or Sports18 1 HD for comprehensive television coverage with expert studio analysis.
Live Streaming Platforms
For viewers preferring digital streaming, the match will be streamed live on the JioCinema app and website. Additionally, live action can be streamed on the FanCode app and web portal. You can also follow the India women vs Zimbabwe third ODI live scores and ball-by-ball updates on thesportstak.com.