Mandhana Hails Rawal-Shefali Masterclass in Vadodara

Smriti Mandhana has lavished praise on Pratika Rawal and Shefali Verma after their unbroken stand helped India overpower Zimbabwe by nine wickets in the opening ODI in Vadodara. The India captain described the chase as a masterclass, even as she identified areas for improvement.

The match was played at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, where Zimbabwe were bowled out for 197 in 49.5 overs. India then reached the target of 198 in 27.1 overs, with nine wickets to spare. The result gave the world champions a 1-0 advantage in the three-match series.

Rawal's innings was the foundation of the win. She remained not out on 100 from 96 balls and hit 15 fours, controlling the tempo while wickets fell at the other end. Her composure ensured that the chase never looked in danger.

Shefali provided the power. Her unbeaten 64 came from just 34 deliveries and was built on five fours and four sixes. Her aggressive approach ended the contest early and gave India a comfortable margin.

Mandhana, who scored 32 off 34 balls before being dismissed, said the pair's performance was the most important factor in the victory. She admitted that India had dropped a few catches and must sharpen their fielding, but she felt the chase itself was excellent. "Apart from a few catches, the way Shefali and Pratika chased was a masterclass," she said.

With the ball, Sree Charani led the way with four wickets for 23 runs. Kranti Gaur took three wickets, Deepti Sharma claimed two, and Shefali picked up one. Mandhana said the bowlers adapted well to the new venue and praised the disciplined pace bowling, particularly Kranti's contribution.

The captain also noted that India could have been more intense in the middle overs of Zimbabwe's innings. After seven months dominated by T20 cricket, the team had to adjust to the demands of a 50-over game. She said that lesson would be taken into the next matches.

Mandhana credited communication and support staff for maintaining consistency in the bowling unit, especially for players switching between T20 and ODI squads. She specifically praised bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi for keeping bowlers clear about their roles and plans.

As the series moves to the second ODI, Mandhana said the team would use a relaxed day to build stronger relationships among players, including the newcomers who have recently joined the squad. She expects the energy of the new faces to add to the team's momentum.