India Women face Zimbabwe Women in the third ODI on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, at 2:00 PM IST at BCA Stadium in Vadodara. India lead the series 2–0 after a nine-wicket victory followed by a 121-run win. The final match offers India a chance to complete a clean sweep and Zimbabwe another opportunity to earn ICC Women’s Championship points.
India Women face Zimbabwe Women in the third ODI on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, at 2:00 PM IST at BCA Stadium in Vadodara. India lead the series 2–0 after a nine-wicket victory followed by a 121-run win. The final match offers India a chance to complete a clean sweep and Zimbabwe another opportunity to earn ICC Women’s Championship points.
The most interesting question is how Zimbabwe respond after testing India’s top order in the second ODI. Early wickets gave the visitors an opening, but centuries from Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma changed the match. India will want a steadier start; Zimbabwe need to turn promising passages into sustained pressure.
India Women VS Zimbabwe Women 3rd ODI: Date, Time and Venue
| Match Detail | Confirmed Information |
| Fixture | India Women VS Zimbabwe Women, 3rd ODI |
| Date | Wednesday, 28 October 2026 |
| Start Time | 2:00 PM IST / 8:30 AM UTC |
| Venue | BCA Stadium, Vadodara; also listed as Kotambi Stadium by Cricinfo |
| Format | Day-night ODI, 50 overs per side |
| Series Position | India lead the three-match ODI series 2–0 |
BCCI’s official tour schedule gives the start time explicitly in IST. This matters because some international match pages display 8:30 AM in UTC, which is the same start, not an early-morning Indian fixture. Follow the BCCI third ODI match centre for match-day updates.
For other fixtures and sports, browse our guide upcoming sports events in India. Check each event’s date and official notice before making plans.
How the Series Reached 2–0
India won the first ODI on 23 October after dismissing Zimbabwe for 197. Pratika Rawal made an unbeaten 100, while Shafali Verma added 64 not out as India reached 200/1 in 27.1 overs. N Shree Charani’s 4/23 helped control Zimbabwe’s innings, although Beloved Biza contributed a determined 62.
The second ODI on 25 October presented a different challenge. Nomvelo Sibanda dismissed Smriti Mandhana and Shafali early, leaving India at 19/2. Rawal’s 61 helped stabilise the innings before Harmanpreet and Deepti took charge.
Harmanpreet finished with 126 from 121 balls. Deepti remained unbeaten on 106 from 86, and India posted 328/6. Zimbabwe were dismissed for 207, with Modester Mupachikwa scoring 49 and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano 46. Vaishnavi Sharma’s 4/39 and Deepti’s three wickets completed the 121-run victory.
Those results show two ways India have won: an efficient top-order chase and a recovery built by experienced middle-order batters. Zimbabwe’s task is to prevent either route from becoming comfortable.
Team News: Updated Squads and Selection Questions
India: Kalita Replaced Renuka Before the ODI Series
The most important squad update is already official. On 22 October, BCCI announced that Jintimani Kalita replaced Renuka Singh Thakur. Renuka was still building the bowling workload required for the 50-over format at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
India’s updated ODI squad is Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur, Harleen Deol, Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Yastika Bhatia, Vaishnavi Sharma, Nandni Sharma, Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare and Jintimani Kalita. Mandhana is captain and Deepti vice-captain.
India rested Kranti Gaud for the second ODI and brought in Vaishnavi, who took four wickets. That creates an interesting selection choice, but there is no confirmed announcement here that Gaud returns or that India will rotate again.
India’s Second-ODI XI, for Reference: Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Vaishnavi Sharma, Sayali Satghare, N Shree Charani and Jintimani Kalita.
This is the previous XI, not a confirmed team for 28 October.
Zimbabwe: Nkomo Returned in the Second ODI
Zimbabwe’s announced tour squad is led by Josephine Nkomo. She returned for the second ODI after missing the opener, when Sibanda captained the side.
Zimbabwe’s Second-ODI XI, for Reference: Modester Mupachikwa, Loryn Phiri, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Beloved Biza, Josephine Nkomo, Nyasha Gwanzura, Chiedza Dhururu, Michelle Mavunga, Nomvelo Sibanda, Tendai Makusha and Olinder Chare.
The final third-ODI line-up will depend on selection and availability. Treat projected teams elsewhere as provisional until the toss announcement.
Players and Matchups to Watch
Pratika Rawal against Zimbabwe’s new-ball attack. Scores of 100 not out and 61 give Rawal a strong foundation for the finale. Zimbabwe’s early wickets in the second game showed that India’s top order can be put under pressure, but removing one batter is not enough if Rawal can rebuild with the next partner.
Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma in the middle overs. Their second-ODI centuries were built differently: Harmanpreet repaired the innings, while Deepti scored quickly after arriving lower down. Watch whether Zimbabwe can restrict easy singles before another partnership develops. Repeatedly changing the field after boundaries can leave gaps elsewhere.
Vaishnavi Sharma against Zimbabwe’s established batters. Her four wickets included Mupachikwa, Biza and Nkomo. If selected again, her changes of pace and flight will deserve attention. Zimbabwe’s response should be judged by strike rotation and shot selection, rather than boundary count alone.
Mupachikwa and Mugeri-Tiripano building beyond a start. Their second-wicket partnership took Zimbabwe to 107/1 in the second ODI. Both fell short of fifty, and the innings lost momentum. A longer partnership would give Zimbabwe a better platform, whether setting a target or chasing.
Pitch and Weather: What the Evidence Supports
The first two ODIs were played at the same ground, but that does not prove the third match will use an identical surface. India successfully chased 198 in the opener and defended 329 in the second game. Those outcomes do not establish a guaranteed advantage for batting or bowling first.
The useful tactical lesson is more specific. Zimbabwe found early wickets in the second ODI, while India’s spinners remained effective later. Batters should be assessed on how they handle changes in pace and build partnerships. Avoid treating a fixed “par score” as a certainty before the match-day surface is examined.
The India Meteorological Department’s Baroda forecast, checked on 27 October, lists partly cloudy conditions and a maximum temperature of 36°C for 28 October, with no warning shown. That points to a hot afternoon, but it is a city forecast, not a guarantee about conditions at the ground. Recheck the IMD local forecast closer to the start.
Where to Watch and an Official Video to View Before the Match
LiveMint’s 23 October coverage reported Star Sports Network as the Indian broadcaster for the ODI series and JioHotstar for streaming the first match. Check the current television guide or platform listing for the third ODI before the start; subscriptions and regional availability can vary.
For relevant previous-match footage, watch [**Vaishnavi Sharma’s destructive 4/39 on BCCI.tv**](https://www.bcci.tv/videos/s-vaishnavi-sharmas-destructive-439-zohss8 Vaishnavi Sharma’s destructive 4/39 on BCCI.tv). This official video covers her performance in the completed second ODI. It is not footage from the upcoming third match.
The video remains on BCCI’s own website. Playback is subject to the publisher’s availability and access conditions.
From Watching Cricket to Playing Locally
For a new player, this series offers useful things to observe: how a batter rebuilds after early wickets, how partners share the strike, and how a spinner changes pace. Take those questions to a coach rather than trying to copy an international player’s technique without guidance.
Before joining a session, read our cricket equipment name list with images to understand the different roles of batting and wicketkeeping gear. Ask the organiser which equipment your particular session requires.
Use Listing Sports as a starting point for sports discovery. A sports listing in India can provide a training or event lead where records exist, but programme details and admission conditions still need direct confirmation. The sports-events directory is separate from an official ticket or broadcast service.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is India Women VS Zimbabwe Women’s third ODI?
The match is scheduled for Wednesday, 28 October 2026, at 2:00 PM IST in Vadodara.
Has India already won the ODI series?
Yes. India lead 2–0 after winning the first ODI by nine wickets and the second by 121 runs. The third match still matters for ICC Women’s Championship points and individual performances.
Are the third-ODI playing XIs confirmed?
Not at the time of this preview. The teams listed above are the previous match’s XIs. Check the official match centre after the toss for the final selections.
Can spectators assume entry is free?
This preview does not establish ticket prices, public-entry conditions or remaining availability. Confirm arrangements through the organiser before travelling.
The Main Question for the Finale
India have earned their lead through both batting depth and effective bowling. Zimbabwe have created openings, especially with the new ball and during their second-ODI top-order partnership. The finale will show whether the visitors can sustain those passages for longer, and whether India can finish the series with another disciplined performance.
