IND-W vs ZIM-W

That is all from the action tonight. The two teams will be back in action once again, same time and same venue after a day's gap, on Sunday. Make sure you join us then, this is Sourabh Agrawal signing off for now on behalf of the team. Cheers!

Pratika Rawal is the Player of the Match for her 100* off 96 balls: It was a happy day, good to be back in the groove and contributing to the team's victroy. Always good to score runs, always good to be in the middle as much as I can. (remembering her last century for India?) I do remember. Before we went out to bat today, we were watching the highlights of that game. It was India vs New Zealand. We were having this conversation that this was the day when I scored my first hunderd for India. Really happy, it brings back great memories and to do it again on the same day is very special. (on her injuries) I just try to keep things simple. First thing is to accept, it is a part and parcel of the game. Something that is not my hand, why to worry about it? Luckily I have good people around me who keep pushing me. There were a few shots that I was not fond of, that is the beauty of the game that you can never get satisfied. The more I bat, the better I feel as a batter. It was one of those days when the ball went where I wanted it to. When you middle the ball, you get a lot of confidence and luckily it went well today.

Smriti Mandhana (India Women captain): Coming into a different ground, the bowlers adapted really well. Shree Charani was the stand out bowler. The pacers were very tidy, Kranti specially. The fielding we can tidy up for sure, some catches went down. In the run chase, Pratika and Shafali provided a masterclass. We are playing ODIs after a very long time, we have been playing T20s for the lasty 6-7 months so some more intensity in the middle overs, overs 25-35 is something we will take out from here. Communication is the key, the support staff specially Avishkar (Salvi) sir commuincates with the players and then coordinates with me. Hopefully it is a relaxed day, we will like to spend some time with each other specially as there are a few new players who have come in the group. Jintimani specially is a ball of energy

Nomvelo Sibanda (Zimbabwe Women captain): (reflections?) I thought we did not play as well as we would have wanted. We were 100 runs short. Did not help our bowlers with the chances we put down. (on the Indian batters) They were aggressive, we did not bowled good lengths consistenly but I thought the spinners pulled it back nicely. (surface as compared to what they get back in their home) The pitch is a lot flatter here, hitting a good length is important. (positives?) Beloved Biza's half century is something to cherish.

Shafali Verma fresh off her unbeaten knock of 64* off 33: (what was her plan?) Nothing much, just tried to see how the ball was behaving at the start. Just enjoyed both their innings, tried to play along the ground at the start and then played how I know. (adjusting to batting at number 3) Did not get the first 10 overs, two fielders outside the ring. Just tried to take the singles at the start, I will learn those things. The ODI format tested my patience, really enjoying it. (advice for the Zimbabwe bowlers) I'm not a good coach, I'm sure they will work hard and comeback stronger. If I tell them about it (how to go against her), I won't be able to score the runs that I did today. (on her bowling) I bowl 3-4 overs in the nets, here it was just about getting used to the wicket and creating pressure with dot balls. I have seen Ecclestone, she is also tall. I am also tall, I try to bowl spin and try to make whatever impact I can.

27.1 Nyasha Gwanzura to Shafali Verma, FOUR! Shafali seals it with a thunping boundary and India have made a mockery of this target securing a 1-0 lead in this 3-match ODI series. Tossed up full at the stumps, Shafali thumps it over the bowler's head and the ball races away to the fence. India win with 22.5 overs left in the innings, what an annhailation job from the World Champions! 

26.6 Tendai Makusha to Pratika Rawal, THERE IT IS! 100* for Pratika Rawal on her return to the side, her 3rd in ODIs and this surely settles all the debates around her opening spot in this team. She knew she needed a boundary, was on 96*, gets a full one around her pads and just gets enough on the flick to clear mid-on. Once the ball did that, there was no stopping it. Her teammates stand up and applaud a flawless innings from Pratika Rawal, someone you will hear a lot more of going ahead.

26.5 Tendai Makusha to Pratika Rawal, EDGED AND FOUR! Pratika won't mind however they come. Throws her bat at a length delivery outside off, gets a thick outside edge that flies wide of the keeper and beats third man too

26.4 Tendai Makusha to Pratika Rawal, looks to muscle this one on the up over mid-on, can only drag it along the ground to the fielder. No run