![IND-W predicted XI vs ZIM, 1st ODI [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1792648977110_ShafaliVermaSmritiMandhanaINDW.jpg?type=hq)
IND-W predicted XI vs ZIM, 1st ODI [Source: AFP]
India Women return to ODI action on Friday, October 23, as they begin their three-match series against Zimbabwe in Vadodara at 2 PM (IST). The world champions last played fifty-over cricket in March during their tour of Australia, losing the series 0-3.
This will also be Smriti Mandhana's first ODI as the new full-time captain, having previously led the team in 4 matches as a stand-in captain. Notably, she has a 100 per cent win record as ODI captain ahead of the Zimbabwe series.
So, as the series gets underway, here's a look at the predicted playing XI for India.
Top Order: Smriti Mandhana (c), Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal
The top-order picks itself in this side, with captain Smriti Mandhana leading the team from the front. She is closing in on the top-5 ODI run scorers, with 5411 runs in 120 innings, averaging 47.88 in the format. Mandhana also has the most ODI hundreds (14) in Women's Cricket history.
Shafali Verma, who broke down the doors of the ODI team after the historic World Cup 2025 win, will continue alongside Mandhana. Shafali has 745 runs in 32 innings, but is currently on the lookout to improve her average, reading 24.03 currently.
Pratika Rawal will slot in at number 3, with a solid start to her international career last year. With 1189 runs in 26 innings, Pratika averages 47.56 in the format and has two centuries to her name, making her a reliable number 3.
Middle Order and Allrounders: Tejal Hasabnis, Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Sayali Satghare
Jemimah Rodrigues continues her recovery from her injury, so the number 4 is up for grabs. Tejal Hasabnis could be the one given a nod, as a reward for her recent India A performances against Australia A. Hasabnis scored two fifties (81 and 60) in the three-match series in Mohali.
Former skipper Harmanpreet Kaur is coming off a brilliant unbeaten 91 off 41 in the last T20I and will follow Tejal at number 5. Having recently stepped down from the captaincy, it will be interesting to see how the 37-year-old fares with extra freedom in the ODIs.
Swashbuckling finisher Richa Ghosh, with her impeccable 1208-run record in the format, striking at 102.45, will be the designated finisher of the XI. The 23-year-old will have all-rounder Deepti Sharma with her as a calming presence in the middle. The vice-captain has 2771 ODI runs, as well as 166 wickets, to go with her safe hands in the field.
Sayali Satghare will extend the batting lineup till number 8. The Mumbai all-rounder was rewarded for her domestic performances earlier in the year and got her India cap. With her medium pace, she has picked 3 wickets in 3 matches, but is yet to bat much in the format.
Bowlers: Nandani Sharma, Shree Charani, Kranti Gaud
Smriti will have two medium pacers to choose from in Nandani Sharma and Renuka Thakur. Just going by the recent pecking order, where Nandani made her mark in T20Is, she could receive her ODI debut in Vadodara.
Shree Charani will be the lead spinner, with her left-arm orthodox bowling, as an x-factor bowler. The 22-year-old has 27 wickets in 21 matches so far at an economy rate of 5.68 runs per over.
The playing XI will cap off with Kranti Gaud's right-arm pace bowling, as the 23-year-old will lead the pace attack, predominantly in the powerplay and chip in with overs in the rest of the innings. In 17 ODIs, Kranti has scalped 25 wickets at an economy rate of under 6 runs per over, with the best figures of 6/52.
India Women Playing XI vs Zimbabwe Women- 1st ODI 2026
Smriti Mandhana (c), Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Tejal Hasabnis, Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Sayali Satghare, Nandani Sharma, Shree Charani, Kranti Gaud.
