2nd ODI
New Zealand has equalized the series thanks to Devine’s all-round brilliance
New Zealand scored 259/9 in 50 overs, where as India scored 183 in 47.1 overs.
So, finally New Zealand beat India by 76 runs.
In a fortnight marked by remarkable achievements for the sport in the country, New Zealand’s victory in the second ODI against India in Ahmedabad may seem understated.
However, it not only leveled the three-match series but also earned crucial points in the Women’s Championship, significantly boosting their chances for direct qualification to next year’s ODI World Cup.
Their comprehensive 76-run win was powered by key contributions from senior players, particularly captain Sophie Devine, who scored 79 off 86 balls and took three wickets.
As in their T20 World Cup triumph earlier this month, the foundation of this win was laid by openers Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer, who added 87 runs in just 15.3 overs after New Zealand chose to bat on a superb surface.
The duo hit 13 fours and a six in the first 15 overs, showcasing timing over raw power.
Returning from injury, Harmanpreet Kaur introduced spin in the sixth over, but India struggled with poor fielding, highlighted by Deepti Sharma’s missed chance off Plimmer’s bowling when she was on 16.
Plimmer capitalized on her reprieve, launching a six and a four off debutant leg-spinner Priya Mishra.
Deepti dropped three catches during the innings, yet India secured their first wicket thanks to a brilliant catch from Radha Yadav, who dove to dismiss Plimmer for 41.
Following that, India’s bowlers managed to stem the flow of runs, with off-pace deliveries proving challenging for New Zealand.
They claimed another wicket when Bates’s drive ricocheted off Priya’s hands and hit the stumps, catching Lauren Down short.
Bates soon fell after reaching her half-century, followed by Brooke Halliday, who was dismissed through another outstanding piece of fielding from Radha.
At 139 for 4 in the 32nd over, New Zealand needed a boost, which came from Devine and Maddy Green (42 off 41).
Devine showcased powerful cuts and pulls, while Green maintained the momentum at the other end.
The New Zealand captain overturned an LBW decision and reached her half-century off 65 balls.
In the final six overs, New Zealand added 55 runs, surpassing the 250 mark with Devine remaining at the crease.
Radha capped off her impressive performance with figures of 4 for 69.
India’s chase began poorly, with Shafali Verma hitting a four off Lea Tahuhu’s first delivery, only for the veteran seamer to dismiss Smriti Mandhana in the same over with a catch to backward point.
Varma fell in the fourth over, caught in front of the stumps by Jess Kerr, leaving India at 26 for 3.
Harmanpreet and Jemimah Rodrigues attempted to stabilize the innings, but their 38-run partnership ended when Devine had Rodrigues caught behind.
Devine also dismissed Harmanpreet, who was caught after a short-arm jab following a solid innings of 24.
By the 26th over, India had slipped to 102 for 7, signaling a challenging situation.
However, the hosts fought back, with Radha leading a brief resistance alongside Saima Thakor, adding 70 runs for the ninth wicket.
Radha made 45, which, while not enough to change the outcome, helped reduce the margin of defeat.
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