‘Sree Charani is a special player’ – Pratika Rawal lauds young spinner after heroics in 1st ODI vs Zimbabwe

Sree Charani delivered a match-defining bowling performance as World Champions India restricted Zimbabwe to 197 in 49.5 overs during the first ODI of the three-match series at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi near Vadodara on Friday, October 23, 2026. The young spinner claimed four wickets for 23 runs, marking her maiden four-wicket haul in the Women’s ODI format since making her debut on April 27, 2025.

Pratika Rawal, who scord an unbeaten century in the second innings, offered high praise for Charani’s achievement. The right-handed batter highlighted the significance of Charani’s performance on a pitch that offered little assistance to the bowlers, emphasising her ability to break partnerships and take crucial wickets under challenging conditions.

“I think Sree Charani is a special player. There are no ifs and buts about it. I’ve seen her bowl since her debut, and the way she has grown is commendable,” Rawal said in a BCCI video.

“On a wicket like this, where the ball isn’t doing much, to be able to get those wickets and break those partnerships is commendable. It’s a long way ahead for her and if she keeps her head down, she’s going to go way up and be in that legend category. She has that calibre; it’s just that she has to believe,” she added.

Charani’s four-wicket haul came from 10 overs, during which she bowled three maidens. The figures of 4/23 represented her career-best performance in the ODI format. Her ability to take wickets and break partnerships on an unhelpful pitch demonstrated her skill and temperament under challenging conditions. The performance showcased her growing maturity as a bowler and her capacity to deliver in high-pressure situations.

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India went on to win the match by nine wickets, with Rawal herself contributing significantly to the victory by scoring her third ODI century. The performance underlined the depth of India’s bowling attack and Charani’s growing role in the team’s plans for the series against Zimbabwe. Her maiden four-wicket haul marked a significant milestone in her international career and reinforced Rawal’s assessment of her potential.