India vs New Zealand: First ODI Highlights
At the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 24, India defeated New Zealand by a commanding 59 runs in the opening one-day international of their three-match series. This win provided a much-needed morale boost for the Indian team, particularly after their recent disappointment in the Women’s T20 World Cup, where New Zealand had defeated them by 58 runs. While the scars of that loss still linger, the Indian side can take some solace in this performance as they aim to regain their footing in international cricket.
Smriti Mandhana stepped up as captain in the absence of regular skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who was sidelined due to an unspecified injury. The batting lineup included notable performances from Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Tejal Hasabnis, and Deepti Sharma. Despite these contributions, the team struggled to build substantial partnerships, ultimately being bowled out for 227 runs with 33 balls remaining.
Amelia Kerr, who previously excelled in the T20 World Cup and earned the Player of the Tournament title, showcased her talent again by claiming four wickets against India. Her exceptional bowling played a pivotal role in restricting the Indian batting unit, even though the total they set was not particularly high. The Indian bowlers, however, stepped up to the challenge, effectively containing the White Ferns and dismissing them for just 168 runs.
In the aftermath of the match, Smriti Mandhana reflected on the challenges faced by the team in recent months, expressing relief at starting the series with a victory. It feels fantastic to start with a victory after a difficult 1.5 to 2 months. At the post-match presentation, Mandhana said, “You won’t succeed if you don’t believe in cricket.” Her acknowledgement of the team’s struggles underscores the importance of this win for the Indian contingent.
Mandhana emphasized the team’s focus on improving their fielding, which she believed could add crucial runs to their score. She particularly highlighted the debut performance of Saima Thakor, who made a significant impact with the new ball. Although we were below average, we talked about how we could add 20 to 30 runs if we fielded effectively. Saima set the tone for us with Suzie’s wicket,” Mandhana remarked, praising Thakor’s impressive figures of 2/26 in her seven overs.
Radha Yadav emerged as the standout bowler for India, taking three wickets for 35 runs in 8.4 overs. Her performance helped maintain pressure on the New Zealand batting order, ensuring that the visitors were never able to build momentum in their chase. Deepti Sharma, following her contribution with the bat, also performed admirably with the ball, delivering nine economical overs and claiming the crucial wicket of opener Georgia Plimmer.
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As the series continues, this victory will serve as a stepping stone for the Indian team, allowing them to build confidence and momentum. The win against a formidable opponent like New Zealand is vital as they aim to solidify their position in international women’s cricket and demonstrate their resilience in the face of adversity.
Looking ahead, both teams will be keen to capitalize on their performances as they prepare for the upcoming matches. India will seek to maintain their winning form, while New Zealand will aim to bounce back and level the series, promising an exciting contest in the next ODI.
