India women won the first ODI against New Zealand women by 59 runs. They have now taken a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series. The first ODI at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad saw India opting to bat first after winning the toss. Harmanpreet Kaur was rested for this game after a niggle. Smriti Mandhana led the side in this game.
Batting first, India scored 227 runs. They lost Smriti Mandhana in the third over for just 5 runs. Shafali Verma then played a few shots for her 33 runs. It was a soft dismissal for her in the 7th over. Dayalan Hemlatha who replaced Harmanpreet Kaur threw away her wicket playing a big shot against Carson. Yastika Bhatia steadied the ship and scored 37 runs. She was dismissed in the 16th over with India 91-4.
Player of the tournament in the recently concluded T20 World Cup, Amelia Kerr picked up 4 wickets. Her sister Jess Kerr picked up 3 with Eden Carson chipping in with a couple of wickets.
India won after useful contributions from the middle order followed by a brilliant bowling performance
Bowlers were the heroes for India as they never allowed the White Ferns batters to get going and chipped in with wickets frequently. It was the first ODI for both sides after the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup last week. New Zealand won the title after defeating South Africa in the final at Dubai.
Jemimah Rodrigues (35 runs) and debutant Tejal Hasabnis (42 runs) had a partnership of 61 runs. Jemimah was trapped in front by Suzie Bates. Then Deepti Sharma (41 runs) played well before Tejal got out. India was 181 for 6 wickets before Deeti played some shots. India lost their last four wickets for just 9 runs.
Chasing 228 runs, New Zealand lost Suzie Bates in the second over to debutant Saima Thakor. Georgia Plimmer played a few shots for her 25 runs before getting dismissed by Deepti Sharma. Skipper Sophie Devine was run out thanks to an excellent presence of mind from Deepti. Then Lauren Down (25 runs) and Brooke Halliday (39 runs) scored 33 runs before Down got out.
Halliday and Maddy Green ( runs) scored 49 runs between them before got out in the same over. After that they lost Jess Kerr in the very next over, losing 3 wickets for just 3 runs. Amelia Kerr (25*) then had a partnership of 36 alongside Isabella Gaze. India then quickly wrapped things up by picking up 3 wickets for just 1 run. The White Ferns managed only 168 runs.
Radha Yadav picked up 3 wickets with Saima Thakor picking up 2. Deepti Sharma and Arundhati Reddy picked up one wicket each. All three games of this series will be played in Ahmedabad. The second ODI is on 27th October.
