Toss India opt to bat vs Zimbabwe

India captain Smriti Mandhana won the toss and opted to bat in the second ODI against Zimbabwe at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. India made one change, resting seamer Kranti Gaud and bringing in left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma.

Mandhana said the change was not dictated by conditions, but because India wanted to give Vaishnavi an opportunity. She felt having another left-arm spinner in the XI wasn’t a bad option either.

Mandhana also confirmed that Shafali Verma would continue to bat at No. 3, citing her recent T20I form and ability to change a game in a matter of overs. She also pointed to Shafali’s offspin as an additional advantage.

Zimbabwe welcomed back regular captain Josephine Nkomo, who had missed the opening ODI with a niggle. She replaced Sharne Mayers in the XI after recovering in time for the second game. Nomvelo Sibanda, who had led Zimbabwe in the first ODI, remained in the side.

Nkomo called for greater intent from Zimbabwe’s batters, and hoped her bowlers could make use of the conditions to take early wickets. She said Zimbabwe had adapted to the conditions in Vadodara, which were similar to those in Bulawayo, although it was considerably hotter.

India: 1 Smriti Mandhana (capt), 2 Pratika Rawal, 3 Shafali Verma, 4 Harmanpreet Kaur, 5 Tejal Hasabnis, 6 Deepti Sharma, 7 Richa Ghosh (wk), 8 N Shree Charani, 9 Jintimani Kalita, 10 Sayali Satghare, 11 Vaishnavi Sharma

Zimbabwe: 1 Beloved Biza, 2 Modester Mupachikwa (wk), 3 Chiedza Dhuru, 4 Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, 5 Josephine Nkomo (capt), 6 Michelle Mavunga, 7 Nyasha Gwanzura, 8 Tendai Makusha, 9 Nomvelo Sibanda, 10 Loryn Phiri, 11 Olinder Chare