Zimbabwe win toss, elect to bat in first ODI against Mandhana’s India in Vadodara

Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat against Mandhana's India in the first ODI of the three-match series at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara, on Friday, October 23. The fixture opens the three-match ODI series between the sides.

India enter the series as reigning ODI world champions, having won the World Cup in November 2025. A new ICC Women's Championship cycle is underway, and every match carries added significance in the race for qualification. The Zimbabwe series provides an opportunity to regain rhythm, test combinations and build consistency in the 50-over format.

Since their World Cup triumph India have played only three ODIs, including a 0-3 series defeat against Australia in March. Their recent 50-over record offers a reminder that there is work to be done. That context underlines why India will use this series to assess personnel and strategies in the longer white-ball game.

The hosts head into the series on the back of a convincing 3-0 sweep in the preceding T20I series in Raipur. With the focus now shifting to 50-over cricket, India will aim to establish early control against a Zimbabwe side eager to put its T20I setbacks behind it. India will look to carry their dominant form into the ODI format.

Mandhana's leadership will be one of the major talking points. She will have to balance her own batting responsibilities with the task of managing a squad that combines established international performers with players returning to the ODI setup. The match is scheduled to begin at 2 PM IST, with the toss at 1:30 PM.

The outcome of Friday's match will feed into the new ICC Women's Championship cycle and the race for qualification. It also begins the three-match series that will offer further chances for both sides to address their objectives in the 50-over game.