India opt to bat in second ODI; Vaishnavi replaces rested Gaud
India Women opted to bat first in the second ODI against Zimbabwe with Vaishnavi Sharma replacing rested Kranti Gaud.
India Women chose to bat first in the second ODI against Zimbabwe at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium in Vadodara on Sunday. Vaishnavi Sharma replaced the rested Kranti Gaud in the playing XI. Zimbabwe captain Josephine Nkomo returned to the side after missing the first ODI.
India had won the opening ODI by nine wickets and lead the three-match series 1-0. The match began at 2:00 PM IST with the toss taking place at 1:30 PM IST. The game was streamed live on the JioHotstar app and televised on the Star Sports Network.
India named Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Sayali Satghare, Kranti Gaud's replacement Vaishnavi Sharma, Shree Charani and Yastika Bhatia. Zimbabwe included Modester Mupachikwa, Kelis Ndhlovu, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Beloved Biza, Josephine Nkomo, Sharne Mayers, Nyasha Gwanzura, Michelle Mavunga, Nomvelo Sibanda, Francisca Chipare and Olinder Chare.
CricHubb Take
Vaishnavi's inclusion for a rested Gaud signals that India are testing a second spin-bowling all-rounder ahead of the tour of South Africa, where conditions may favour more than one frontline spinner.