The second ODI between India Women and New Zealand Women took place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, with the visitors opting to bat first. The White Ferns got off to a flying start as openers Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer displayed aggressive intent, keeping the Indian bowlers on the back foot. Their smart shot selection, combined with hard running and powerful strokes, gave New Zealand early momentum in the first 10 overs.
Bates and Plimmer were relentless in their attack, punishing anything loose from the Indian bowlers. However, just as the partnership began to threaten, Deepti Sharma provided a crucial breakthrough, dismissing Plimmer with the score at 87, denting New Zealand’s progress.
India struck again soon after, thanks to sharp fielding by Priya Mishra, who ran out Lauren Down, reducing New Zealand to 98/2. The quick blows disrupted the batting momentum, shifting the game in India’s favour.
The pressure mounted further when Bates, looking dangerous, was dismissed by Radha Yadav, who took a sharp return catch. Brooke Halliday followed soon after, scoring only eight runs before falling to Mishra, putting New Zealand in a tough spot. However, the fightback began with skipper Sophie Devine leading from the front, steadily accumulating runs.
Devine found an able partner in Maddy Green, and together they built a crucial partnership that brought New Zealand back into the contest. Although Green fell to Yadav in the 45th over, the pair had already done significant damage. Despite losing wickets at the other end, Devine’s brilliant 79 powered her team to a challenging total of 259/9.
Chasing a daunting total, India’s hopes took a major hit right at the start, with Lea Tahuhu dismissing Smriti Mandhana in the first over. Things quickly went from bad to worse as Jess Kerr removed Shafali Verma, leaving India reeling at 19/2. Tahuhu struck again, sending Yastika Bhatia back to the pavilion and further rocking the hosts.
A brief partnership between Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur offered some hope, but it was cut short by Devine’s brilliance in the field. The tourists kept tightening the noose, picking up wickets at regular intervals, and India soon found themselves struggling at 102/7. Despite a gutsy effort from Radha and Saima Thakor, the target was always going to be an uphill task with key batters already dismissed.
India eventually folded for 183, falling well short, as New Zealand clinched a comprehensive victory.
For more sports content follow Revsportz