Pratika Rawal. (Photo/BCCI)
Pratika Rawal scored her third ODI century while Shree Charani claimed career-best figures of 4/23 as India defeated Zimbabwe by nine wickets in the opening match of the three-ODI series in Vadodara on Friday.Zimbabwe were bowled out for 197 despite a half-century from Beloved Biza, with Charani and Kranti Gaud (3/42) leading India's bowling effort. Pratika then guided the chase with an unbeaten 100 as India reached 200/1 in 27.1 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Pratika struck 15 fours in her 100 not out, scoring at a strike rate of over 100. The right-hander relied on shots along the ground and did not take unnecessary risks while batting on a pitch that offered little assistance to the bowlers.Pratika's opening partner Mandhana scored 32 before being caught by Biza at long-on off Olinder Chare in the 16th over, ending a 94-run opening partnership.Shafali, who came to bat at No. 3, continued her attacking approach and remained unbeaten on 64 off 33 balls, hitting five fours and four sixes.Earlier, Charani helped restrict Zimbabwe to 197 on a batting-friendly pitch at Kotambi. The left-arm spinner dismissed openers Modester Mupachikwa, who scored 25, and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (21) before returning to remove Nyasha Gwanzura (13) and Michelle Mavunga (29).
Kranti Gaud supported Charani with three wickets for 42 runs as India kept Zimbabwe from building substantial partnerships. Biza was the visitors' top scorer, making 62 off 92 balls with five fours. She held one end together during the innings.
India's bowling effort was, however, accompanied by several fielding errors, including dropped catches.In the third over, Mugeri-Tiripano edged a delivery from Gaud while attempting a drive outside off stump, but wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh failed to hold on to the catch.Mupachikwa offered another chance in the eighth over when she attempted to pull a wide delivery from Gaud and edged it towards Deepti Sharma at second slip. The India vice-captain tried to take the catch with a reverse cup, but the ball popped out of her hands.Mavunga also benefited from a dropped catch while scoring quick runs. In the 40th over, Gaud failed to hold on to a difficult chance at deep midwicket off Deepti's bowling.