IND-W v ZIM-W: 1st ODI at BCA Stadium, Kotambi, Vadodara on October 23, 2026
India Women will face Zimbabwe Women in the first ODI of Zimbabwe’s tour of India at BCA Stadium, Kotambi, Vadodara on Friday, October 23, 2026, with the match scheduled to start at 2 PM IST. India arrive having recorded a 3-0 whitewash in the home series against Zimbabwe Women.
The series opens with Smriti Mandhana leading India after a strong start as the team’s full-time captain, while Josephine Nkomo will captain the Zimbabwe side. ODI specialists Pratika Rawal, Sayali Satghare, Harleen Deol, Yastika Bhatia and Renuka Thakur have returned to India’s squad for the series. After the T20I series win, India have a chance to clean sweep this series as well. India and Zimbabwe have met in one ODI previously, a match India won by nine wickets in 2017.
Weather and timing for Friday afternoon in Vadodara are forecast as partly sunny with a maximum temperature of 36°C and average humidity of 34%. The match will be played in the afternoon slot, with the scheduling likely to influence pitch and outfield conditions during the game.
The surface at BCA Stadium is described as flat and conducive to batting; four ODIs have been played there with an average first-innings score of 283 runs. Observers note the bounce is good with very little assistance for pace bowlers early on, while spinners are expected to find more grip and turn as the ball ages. Dew is also expected in the second innings, a factor the report says will make the surface ideal for chasing.
India Women’s squad named for the match is: Smriti Mandhana (C), Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Yastika Bhatia (WK), Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh, Deepti Sharma, Shree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh, Nandani Sharma.
Zimbabwe Women’s team for the fixture is: Kelis Ndhlovu, Beloved Biza, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Sharne Mayers, Josephine Nkomo (C), Nyasha Gwanzura, Modester Mupachikwa (WK), Michelle Mavunga, Francisca Chipare, K Chigora, Tendai Makusha.
Khel Now’s Dream11 pointers list key player groups as Batters: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Sharne Mayers, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano; All-rounders: Deepti Sharma, Josephine Nkomo, Beloved Biza; Bowlers: K Chigora, Shree Charani, Kranti Gaud. Their first suggested captain/vice-captain choices are: Captain First-Choice: Deepti Sharma; Captain Second-Choice: Shree Charani; Vice-Captain First-Choice: Beloved Biza; Vice-captain Second-Choice: Kranti Gaud. An alternate Dream11 selection adds Harmanpreet Kaur among batters and Francisca Chipare among bowlers, with Captain First-Choice: Shafali Verma; Captain Second-Choice: Josephine Nkomo; Vice-Captain First-Choice: Smriti Mandhana; Vice-captain Second-Choice: Beloved Biza.
Khel Now backs India Women to win the first ODI. The first match of the ODI series will take place on October 23, 2026 at BCA Stadium, Kotambi, Vadodara.