In the 12th over of the first India-New Zealand women’s ODI, there was a curious incident – Sophie Devine played one back to Deepti Sharma, who threw the ball to the ‘keeper. Perhaps the experienced New Zealand captain had a brain-fade as, at the moment, she was standing just outside the crease. Yastika Bhatia, the ‘keeper, duly took the bails off and Devine had to walk back to the pavilion.
Somewhere, it also indicated that India’s fielders were alert to grab any opportunity that came their way. During the middle phase of the innings, we saw more evidence of it. Smriti Mandhana, the Indian skipper, effected a direct hit at the striker’s end to send Maddy Green back to the hut. Not just that, India took all their catches; something that has been a bugbear of the side for a long time.
The mood in the camp also seemed upbeat. When Saima Thakor picked up her second scalp, there were wild celebrations, with Jemimah Rodrigues jumping in joy. At that juncture, a thought that flashed in the mind – if only the Indian team had shown this kind of alertness and camaraderie during the course of the T20 World Cup. Unfortunately, that was not exactly the case as India bowed out in the group phase.
India, though, can’t live in the past. Instead, they have to look at building towards the future. So, from that respect, the hosts can take enough positives from the opening ODI. Yastika didn’t just show some nimble work behind the stumps, but she also shone brightly with the willow. Incidentally, Yastika had also seemed to be in good rhythm during net sessions in the World Cup.
The backstory to Yastika taking over the gloves is that Richa Ghosh, the regular ‘keeper, had to miss out on the bilateral series due to her exams. Richa, however, had an abysmal run in the World Cup, both with the gloves and behind the stumps. So, we might see a bit of competition for the ‘keeper’s slot.
Saima, the debutant, also impressed, taking two for 26 from seven overs. Initially, the medium pacer drifted a few down the leg side before settling into a nice line and length in the corridor of uncertainty. She also generated a hint of away-swing to dislodge the veteran New Zealand opener, Suzie Bates. Of course, Deepti, India’s evergreen utility cricketer, once more made an impact with both the bat and ball.
“Tough last one-and-half, two months, really happy to start off with a win,” Mandhana said in the press conference afterwards. “Right from the first ball, if you don’t believe in cricket, you won’t be able to do it. We had a good huddle talk, we felt we were under-par and Saima set the tone for us.
“She has been around with us for the last one-and-half, two months, she has been brilliant throughout, really happy for her and hope this is just the start for her. Deepti is a superstar, she knows what she is doing. Radha and Hema also chipped in, the wicket assisted the spinners in the middle phase.”