Vaishnavi Sharma creates history with maiden ODI five-wicket haul

India’s young left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma delivered a career-best performance against Zimbabwe in the third women’s ODI in Vadodara on Wednesday, claiming her maiden five-wicket haul and achieving a rare milestone.

At 20 years and 314 days, Vaishnavi became the second-youngest Indian woman to take five wickets in an ODI innings and the youngest to achieve the feat in a decade.

Deepti Sharma remains the youngest Indian woman to claim an ODI five-wicket haul, having taken 6-20 against Sri Lanka in Ranchi in 2016.

Vaishnavi carried her impressive form into the series finale, troubling Zimbabwe’s batters with variations in flight, pace and turn as India bowled out the visitors for 131 in 39.5 overs.

The spinner took 4-39 in 10 overs in the previous match, helping India secure a 121-run victory and an unassailable 2-0 series lead.

Vaishnavi made an early breakthrough by dismissing Beloved Biza for one, with India captain Harmanpreet Kaur taking the catch at mid-on.

She then outfoxed wicketkeeper-batter Modester Mupachikwa, who had scored 37, by slowing the delivery and drawing her out of the crease. Yastika Bhatia completed the stumping.

The left-arm spinner kept the pressure on, dismissing Chiedza Dhururu after the batter tried to advance down the track and offered a leading edge. Jintimani Kalita took the catch at extra cover.

Michelle Mavunga became Vaishnavi’s fourth victim when she miscued a lofted shot, with Harleen Deol completing the catch at deep mid-on.

Vaishnavi eventually completed her five-wicket haul by dismissing Nyasha Gwanzura. The batter attempted to slog across the line, but an inside edge deflected off her shoe and ricocheted onto the stumps.

The dismissal capped a memorable spell for the young spinner, whose disciplined bowling and clever variations helped India restrict Zimbabwe to a modest total in the third ODI.