India Women need 132 runs to defeat Zimbabwe Women in the third and final ODI at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 131 in 39.5 overs after struggling against India’s disciplined bowling attack.
Young left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma delivered an outstanding performance. She finished with five wickets for 39 runs in 10 overs. Kranti Gaud and Sayali Satghare also claimed two wickets each as India kept Zimbabwe under pressure throughout the innings.
Zimbabwe captain Josephine Nkomo won the toss and chose to bat first. However, her team lost wickets regularly and failed to build the partnerships needed for a competitive total.
India had already secured the three-match ODI series with a 2-0 lead. The hosts now have an opportunity to complete a clean sweep with another victory.
Match status: Innings break. India need 132 runs to win.
India Women vs Zimbabwe Women 3rd ODI: Match Summary
| Match detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | India Women vs Zimbabwe Women, 3rd ODI |
| Date | October 28, 2026 |
| Venue | BCA Stadium, Kotambi, Vadodara |
| Toss | Zimbabwe Women elected to bat |
| Zimbabwe Women | 131 all out in 39.5 overs |
| Target for India | 132 runs |
| Best bowler | Vaishnavi Sharma: 5/39 |
| Series position before the chase | India lead 2-0 |
Zimbabwe Women Bowled Out for 131
Zimbabwe struggled to establish control from the beginning of their innings. India’s bowlers made early breakthroughs and prevented the visitors from building a strong platform.
Zimbabwe lost their first wicket with just six runs on the board. The pressure increased when Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano and Beloved Biza also departed early.
At the end of the first 10 overs, Zimbabwe had managed only 30 runs and lost three wickets. This left the middle order with the difficult task of rebuilding the innings while also trying to improve the scoring rate.
The early collapse proved costly. Zimbabwe never fully recovered, despite some resistance from their experienced batters.
Modester Mupachikwa Provides the Best Start
Wicketkeeper-batter Modester Mupachikwa was Zimbabwe’s leading run-scorer. She made 37 runs from 48 balls, hitting seven boundaries.
Mupachikwa attempted to steady the innings after the early wickets. Her contribution gave Zimbabwe some stability, but the team needed a longer partnership to reach a competitive total.
Vaishnavi Sharma eventually dismissed Mupachikwa, who was stumped by Yastika Bhatia. Zimbabwe were reduced to 52 for four in 15.5 overs.
Her dismissal was another important moment for India. Zimbabwe lost their most productive batter before she could convert her start into a bigger score.
Josephine Nkomo and Chiedza Dhururu Try to Rebuild
Zimbabwe captain Josephine Nkomo became an important figure in the middle order. She scored 35 runs from 67 balls, including four boundaries.
Chiedza Dhururu supported her with 20 runs from 39 deliveries. The pair added 43 runs for the fifth wicket, helping Zimbabwe move beyond their difficult start.
Their partnership briefly improved Zimbabwe’s position. However, India continued to bowl with discipline and did not allow the batters to take control for long.
Dhururu was dismissed for 20, leaving Zimbabwe at 95 for five. Nkomo continued for a little longer, but Kranti Gaud eventually removed the captain for 35.
Once Nkomo departed at 119 for seven, Zimbabwe’s lower order struggled to add meaningful runs. The final three wickets fell quickly, and the innings ended at 131 in 39.5 overs.
Vaishnavi Sharma Claims Her First ODI Five-Wicket Haul
Vaishnavi Sharma was the standout performer with the ball. The young spinner finished with figures of 5/39 from 10 overs, including one maiden.
Her five-wicket haul was a major highlight of the innings and demonstrated her ability to trouble batters at different stages of a match.
Vaishnavi removed Mupachikwa and Beloved Biza before returning to the attack to dismiss Chiedza Dhururu, Michelle Mavunga and Nyasha Gwanzura.
Her bowling helped India break important partnerships and stop Zimbabwe from building momentum. She also completed her five-wicket haul by dismissing Gwanzura, who was bowled in the 34th over.
Kranti Gaud provided excellent support with two wickets for 23 runs in seven overs. She dismissed Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano early and later took the crucial wicket of captain Josephine Nkomo.
Sayali Satghare also impressed, taking two wickets for just 11 runs in six overs. Her economical spell put further pressure on Zimbabwe’s batting line-up.
India Women’s Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vaishnavi Sharma | 10 | 39 | 5 |
| Kranti Gaud | 7 | 23 | 2 |
| Sayali Satghare | 6 | 11 | 2 |
| Deepti Sharma | 6.5 | 12 | 0 |
| Shafali Verma | 4 | 17 | 0 |
| Jintimani Kalita | 6 | 27 | 0 |
India’s bowling effort was built on early wickets, economical spells and regular breakthroughs. Zimbabwe finished with a run rate of 3.29, highlighting how difficult it was for the visitors to score freely.
India Need 132 Runs to Complete the Series Sweep
India’s target is 132 runs from a maximum of 50 overs. With Zimbabwe dismissed for 131, the hosts have a clear opportunity to finish the ODI series with three consecutive victories.
However, India still need to complete the chase. At the time of this update, the innings break was in progress and India’s batting innings had not yet begun.
Smriti Mandhana, leading India in the series, will be among the players attracting attention during the chase. The opener will also be keen to make a significant contribution after scoring 32 in the first ODI and being dismissed for a duck in the second.
Pratika Rawal has been another important player for India. She scored an unbeaten century in the opening ODI and followed it with 61 in the second match. Her form at the top of the order has been a major positive for the hosts.
India’s batting line-up also includes experienced players such as Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma, who both scored centuries in the second ODI. Their performances helped India post 328 for six before winning that match by 121 runs.
The immediate task, however, is straightforward: India need 132 runs to win the third ODI and complete a 3-0 series victory.
India Women vs Zimbabwe Women: Previous ODI Results
India entered the final ODI with a 2-0 advantage after winning the first two matches convincingly.
First ODI: India Won by Nine Wickets
India began the series with a dominant nine-wicket victory. Pratika Rawal scored an unbeaten 100, while Shree Charani took four wickets to help restrict Zimbabwe.
India then chased the target comfortably, making a strong start to the ODI series.
Second ODI: India Won by 121 Runs
The second match featured two outstanding centuries from India’s middle order. Harmanpreet Kaur scored 126 runs, while Deepti Sharma remained unbeaten on 106.
India finished their innings at 328 for six. Zimbabwe were subsequently bowled out for 207, giving India a 121-run victory and an unassailable series lead.
The third ODI therefore presents India with the opportunity to finish the series without a defeat.
Why This Match Matters for India
The final ODI offers India more than just another opportunity to win a match. It also gives the team a chance to maintain its momentum and assess its bowling and batting combinations.
Vaishnavi Sharma’s five-wicket haul is an especially encouraging development. Her performance followed a strong showing in the previous ODI and provides India with another promising option in the spin department.
The bowling unit also demonstrated the importance of taking wickets early. By reducing Zimbabwe to 30 for three in the opening 10 overs, India prevented the visitors from building a strong foundation.
For Zimbabwe, the innings highlighted the need for greater consistency. Mupachikwa and Nkomo made useful contributions, but the team could not turn those starts into a larger total.
Zimbabwe’s challenge now is to respond with the ball and put pressure on India’s batters. Defending 131 will require early wickets and a disciplined performance, although India will start their chase with the advantage of a modest target.
IND-W vs ZIM-W 3rd ODI: Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zimbabwe Women’s score in the third ODI?
Zimbabwe Women were bowled out for 131 in 39.5 overs against India Women in Vadodara.
How many runs do India Women need to win?
India Women need 132 runs to win the third ODI and complete a 3-0 series sweep.
Who took five wickets for India Women?
Vaishnavi Sharma took five wickets for 39 runs in 10 overs. It was her first five-wicket haul in ODI cricket.
Who was Zimbabwe Women’s highest scorer?
Modester Mupachikwa was Zimbabwe’s highest scorer with 37 runs from 48 balls, including seven fours.
How did Kranti Gaud and Sayali Satghare perform?
Kranti Gaud took two wickets for 23 runs in seven overs. Sayali Satghare claimed two wickets for 11 runs in six overs.
What was India’s position before the third ODI?
India had already won the first two matches and held an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
Has India won the third ODI?
At the time of this update, Zimbabwe had been dismissed for 131 and India were preparing to chase 132. The final result had not yet been confirmed.
Live match update: India Women need 132 runs to defeat Zimbabwe Women in the third ODI. Vaishnavi Sharma’s five-wicket haul has put India in a strong position as they look to complete the series sweep.
