India Clinches ODI Series Against New Zealand
Harmanpreet Kaur’s Indian team achieved a crucial 2-1 ODI series victory against New Zealand, marking a strong comeback after their disappointing 2024 T20 World Cup campaign. The series concluded with the hosts securing a commanding six-wicket win in the third ODI held in Ahmedabad. This victory holds special significance as it follows their early exit from the T20 World Cup in the UAE, where they failed to advance to the semifinals.
Reflecting on the team’s performance, Harmanpreet emphasized the importance of winning this series. “It was important for us as we wanted to win this series at any cost. As I said in the morning, we discussed a lot of things and I’m really happy we could execute today,” she shared during the post-match press conference. Her words highlight the team’s resolve to improve and perform under pressure.
Smriti Mandhana Shines with Record-Setting Ton
The final match showcased the batting brilliance of Smriti Mandhana, who led the team with an impactful century, scoring 100 off 122 balls. This performance not only helped secure the series victory but also set a new Indian record for the most ODI centuries, surpassing the legendary Mithali Raj. Mandhana’s innings were crucial in the successful chase of 233 runs, particularly in her partnership with Harmanpreet, who contributed an unbeaten 59 runs.
New Zealand, batting first, posted a total of 232 runs, anchored by Brooke Halliday’s impressive 86. Despite losing key players, including Suzie Bates to a run-out and Sophie Devine to Priya Mishra’s googly, the White Ferns managed to set a defendable target. India’s bowling attack maintained consistent pressure throughout the innings, which was pivotal in restricting New Zealand’s scoring.
Team Focuses on Improvement and Fielding
India’s chase faced an early setback with the dismissal of Shafali Verma, but Mandhana’s resilient batting steadied the innings. She expressed her mindset during her innings, saying, “Had to be a little hard on myself early on and wait for the first 10 overs to go before taking the game on. The harder method is what works for me. First, it must be done for the team. Getting out early means I’ve let the team down, and that thought doesn’t let me sleep well.”
Harmanpreet also shared insights into the team’s ongoing focus on improving their fielding. To become the top fielding team in women’s cricket, the Women in Blue have been putting in a lot of effort to improve their fielding abilities. We must continue to put in a lot of effort in the area of fielding, which we are always discussing. As an indication of the team’s dedication to ongoing development, Kaur said, “We are working hard but just waiting for the results till we can be the best fielding side.”
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This series victory not only serves as a morale booster for the team but also sets a positive tone for future competitions. The focus on discipline, skill enhancement, and teamwork will be crucial as the Indian women look to build on this success in the upcoming challenges.
