IND-W vs ZIM-W, 3rd ODI: Mandhana’s Batting form, Powerplay and Fielding woes in focus as India target clean sweep

India’s practice session ahead of 3rd WODI against Zimbabwe (PC: BCCI Women)

Zimbabwe are set to play their final game of the ongoing India tour on Wednesday, with the third WODI scheduled to take place in Vadodara. The Women in Blue already lead the three-match series 2-0 and, just as they did in the WT20I series, will look to complete a clean sweep under newly appointed full-time captain Smriti Mandhana.

However, India still have areas to address before the series concludes. The final ODI offers an opportunity to improve in key departments and build momentum ahead of more challenging assignments.

Mandhana’s batting form 

It has been a disappointing series with the bat so far for the newly appointed skipper. In the series opener, Mandhana scored 32 off 34 balls but struggled to find her timing and fluency. In the second game, she registered a two-ball duck — her second in this format this year and fifth overall in her career.

On the second ball of her innings, Mandhana went for a big shot but lost her shape and control, managing only the toe end of the bat before offering the visitors an easy catch. The ball appeared to hold up slightly before reaching the bat, suggesting she misjudged the pace and played the shot too early.

Smriti Mandhana with head coach, Amol Muzumdar (PC: BCCI Women)

Mandhana will be keen to finish the series on a high, particularly with the bat, as her next assignment in this format will be in South Africa. With a more challenging environment and bowling attack awaiting India, a good knock in the final ODI could provide her with a timely confidence boost.

Pace bowling and powerplay concerns

India have bowled out Zimbabwe in both ODIs, but the visitors have made the reigning ODI World Champions work hard, batting for 49.5 overs in the first game and 48.5 in the second.

India’s spinners have dominated, accounting for 15 of the 20 wickets at an economy rate of 3.86, an average of 15.4 and a strike rate of 23.9. The pace attack, however, remains a concern.

Jintimani Kalita in the nets (PC: BCCI Women)

While the pacers have maintained a reasonable economy rate of 4.24, their five wickets across the two games have come at an average of 33 and a strike rate of 46.6. The opportunities given to Sayali Satghare and Jintimani Kalita have not yielded the desired impact. Across the two matches, the pair have bowled 28.5 overs, conceded 123 runs at an economy rate of 4.27 and taken just two wickets.

Their struggles have been particularly evident with the new ball. Across the two powerplays, India’s pacers bowled 16 overs, compared with four overs from the spinners. The pacers conceded 83 runs at an economy rate of 5.19, including 10 wides, highlighting their lack of discipline.

Zimbabwe scored 46/1 in the first game and 47/1 in the second during the powerplay. Of the two wickets to fall in that period, only one was taken by a pacer — Kranti Gaud in the series opener. With Gaud rested for the second ODI, Sayali and Kalita failed to provide an early breakthrough. Mandhana turned to spin for three overs during the powerplay, and the move brought a wicket.

Richa Ghosh fielding practice (PC: BCCI Women)

Fielding remains another concern

India’s fielding has also been below par. Five chances have been dropped across the two WODIs, with wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh responsible for three of them.

As India look to complete a series clean sweep, the final game will be an opportunity to address these shortcomings and deliver a more clinical performance across all departments.

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