IND vs ZIM 3rd ODI: Mandhana looks for runs as India chase clean sweep

Pratika Rawal has said there were no discussions in the Indian dressing room about changing the batting order for the ODI series against Zimbabwe. She explained that she and Smriti Mandhana knew they would open, while Shafali Verma was aware she would bat at number three. Pratika said the arrangement was the same as the one India followed during the Australia tour. “There were no conversations inside the dressing room about the batting order. Me and Smriti knew that we were going in as openers and Shafali knew as well that she was going in one down because that’s the same batting order that we followed in the Australia tour as well,” Pratika said.

Shafali Verma has adjusted well to her new role at number three in India's batting order. After moving down from the opening position, she smashed an unbeaten 64 off just 33 balls in the first ODI against Zimbabwe. Her aggressive innings helped India chase down the target comfortably and showed that she can make an impact in the new position. India have retained the same top-order arrangement that they followed during the Australia tour. Shafali will look to build on her start when the teams meet in the third ODI.

Pratika Rawal has made a strong case to retain her place as an opener with consistent performances in the first two ODIs against Zimbabwe. She scored an unbeaten 100 in the series opener to help India secure a nine-wicket victory, then followed it up with a fluent 61 in the second match. Her performances have given India a reliable option at the top of the order. With the series already decided, Pratika will look to continue her form in the third ODI and strengthen her position in the batting line-up.

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Smriti Mandhana has made a positive start to her full-time captaincy stint, but the India opener will be keen to finish the ODI series with a big score. She made 32 in the first match before being dismissed against the run of play, and then fell for a duck in the second ODI. India have won both matches comfortably, but a big contribution from Mandhana with the bat would be a welcome addition to the team's performance. She will have one more opportunity to find her rhythm when India face Zimbabwe in Vadodara.

India will look to complete a clean sweep when they take on Zimbabwe in the third and final women's ODI in Vadodara on Wednesday. The hosts have already secured the series with an unassailable 2-0 lead after winning the first two matches convincingly. India also won the preceding T20I series 3-0 and will want to continue their strong run. This is India's first-ever bilateral women's ODI series against Zimbabwe, making Wednesday's match an opportunity for the team to finish the contest on a high.