India Women secured a 59-run win over New Zealand Women in the first game of the three-match ODI series in Ahmedabad on Thursday. The bowlers were the stars for the home team, successfully defending a total of 227. Several Indian batters got off to good starts but failed to score big. However, the bowlers, especially Radha Yadav, restricted New Zealand’s batters with her variations and prevented them from scoring freely.
Fans were eager to see how Harmanpreet Kaur would lead the team after the disappointment of the recent Women’s T20 World Cup in UAE. However, at the toss, Smriti Mandhana stepped in as stand-in captain, revealing that Harmanpreet missed the game due to a niggle. Mandhana won the toss and chose to bat first, introducing debutants Tejal Hasabnis and Saima Thakor. For New Zealand, Jess Kerr and Molly Penfold led the pace attack, as Lea Tahuhu was rested.
Mandhana’s struggles continued as she was dismissed for just five runs. Yastika Bhatia, at No. 3, added 37 runs, while Shafali Verma scored a quick 33 off 22 balls. Shafali looked set for a big score but was dismissed by Eden Carson in the seventh over. Carson, known for her Powerplay wickets in the recent World Cup, continued her form by taking Shafali’s wicket.
Several Indian batters got starts but could not convert them into big scores. Yastika (37 off 43), Jemimah Rodrigues (35 off 36), Tejal (42 off 64) and Deepti Sharma (41 off 51) all contributed, but India struggled to build a large partnership. The only notable stand was a 61-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Jemimah and Tejal. For New Zealand, Amelia Kerr took four wickets for 42 runs in nine overs, while her sister Jess Kerr grabbed three wickets. Carson took two and Suzie Bates claimed one wicket.
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India were bowled out for 227 runs in 44.3 overs. Amelia’s googlies troubled Tejal initially, but she grew more confident as her innings progressed. Despite not batting the full 50 overs, India’s total seemed challenging.
India’s bowlers then put on a fine display. Saima took her first international wicket, dismissing Suzie Bates for just one run. Lauren Down, batting at No. 3 instead of Amelia, scored 26 runs, while Georgia Plimmer made 25. Brooke Halliday top-scored with 39, and Maddy Green chipped in with 31. However, like India, New Zealand’s batters failed to convert their starts into significant partnerships.
Sophie Devine was run out in a unique fashion for just two runs, with Deepti throwing the ball to Yastika, who whipped off the bails. The batter was unaware that she had her leg just on the outer part of the line. Amelia, batting at No. 9, remained unbeaten on 25 off 23 balls, but her running between the wickets suggested she was still not 100 per cent.
Radha shone with the ball, taking three wickets for 35 runs in 8.4 overs. She bowled with excellent control, varying her pace and flight to suit the Ahmedabad pitch. India bowled New Zealand out for 168 in 40.4 overs, claiming a dominant 59-run win to take a 1-0 lead in the series. The second match is on October 27 in Ahmedabad.