Smriti Mandhana's India Eye Another Clean Sweep As ODI Series Begins

A dominant Indian team under new skipper Smriti Mandhana will look for another clean sweep against a lowly Zimbabwe side when the two teams face off in the opening ODI of the three-match series on Friday. India crushed Zimbabwe 3-0 for a perfect start to Mandhana's captaincy stint, and a similar result will be expected from the reigning ODI world champions when they take the field at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi. Former captain Harmanpreet Kaur's return to form would be the biggest positive for India heading into the ODI series, while the team will also look for a quick solution to the void created by the absence of Jemimah Rodrigues in the middle order.

Sidelined by a hamstring injury, Jemimah's absence gave India an opportunity to test their options in the T20Is, and the task will remain the same for the think tank, which will have at least two experienced campaigners to consider for the No. 3 slot.

While India had Anushka Sharma and Niki Prasad as options in the T20Is, the ODI squad has Harleen Deol and Pratika Rawal as candidates for the No. 3 position. However, neither Harleen nor Pratika is known for aggressive batting, which means Harmanpreet may need to take on a greater attacking role.

Having lacked both opportunities and time in the middle in recent competitions, Harmanpreet blazed her way to a 41-ball 91, featuring 10 fours and five sixes, in the final T20I to roar back into form.

As a specialist batter, Harmanpreet remains a vital cog in the middle order, which has at times struggled to assert itself in the 50-over format. Her explosive batting, without the added pressure of captaincy, could provide another weapon in India's arsenal.

At the top, a red-hot Shafali Verma poses the biggest threat to Zimbabwe, while in the bowling department, 10 overs from the consistent Shree Charani could keep the Zimbabwean think tank on its toes.

It will be Mandhana's first series as full-time ODI captain. She did not bat in the final T20I as India experimented with different combinations.

Even though they could not trouble India significantly, there were some positives for the visitors in this first-ever bilateral series between the two nations.

Zimbabwe's fielding was impressive throughout the three-match T20I series in Raipur, and despite India's bowling depth and quality, they were not bowled out even once.

Kelis Ndhlovu looked promising at the top with some attractive stroke play, while Sharne Mayers made a strong impact with scores of 60 in the final T20I and 43 in the opening match.

Among the bowlers, Beloved Biza's six wickets, including a four-wicket haul in the final T20I, and Nyasha Gwanzura's encouraging performances will be significant positives for the visitors.

Squads (from)

India: Smriti Mandhana (c), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Harleen Deol, Richa Ghosh (wk), Pratika Rawal, Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma (vc), Harmanpreet Kaur, Sayali Satghare, Shafali Verma, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh Thakur, Nandani Sharma, Shree Charani, Vaishnavi Sharma.

Zimbabwe: Josephine Nkomo (c), Chiedza Dhururu (wk), Sharne Mayers, Modester Mupachikwa (wk), Beloved Biza, Nyasha Gwanzura, Michelle Mavunga, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Kelis Ndhlovu, Olinder Chare, Kudzai Chigora, Francisca Chipare, Tendai Makusha, Loryn Phiri, Nomvelo Sibanda.

Match starts at 2:00 pm IST.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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