3rd ODI
Smriti Mandhana has scored a century as India team has clinched the ODI series
New Zealand scored 232 in 49.5 overs, where as India scored 236/4 in 44.2 overs.
So, finally India beat New Zealand by six wickets.
Smriti Mandhana scored her third ODI century of 2024 as India defied the bat-first-win-game trend in the series decider against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Mandhana made 100 off 122 balls, building significant partnerships with Yastika Bhatia (35) and Harmanpreet Kaur (59*) as the hosts successfully chased down 232 runs, securing victory by six wickets with 34 balls to spare and clinching the series 2-1.
Despite an early loss of Shafali Verma, who was caught down the leg side by Hannah Rowe, India maintained control throughout the chase.
Mandhana, initially slow to start at 9 off 26, quickly found her rhythm with a swivel pull off Sophie Devine and a lofted straight drive off Eden Carson to kickstart her innings.
Mandhana and Bhatia constructed a steady 76-run partnership, with Bhatia contributing 35 runs before being caught and bowled by Devine.
Any hopes of a New Zealand comeback were dashed as Harmanpreet began accumulating runs steadily while Mandhana increased her scoring rate.
After reaching her fifty in 73 balls, Mandhana struck two boundaries in consecutive overs, ultimately hitting 10 fours in total, bringing the target down to double digits.
Although she required treatment for a minor leg issue, it didn’t affect her momentum.
With the chase in cruise control, the senior batters shifted gears.
The 37th over bowled by Devine marked their intent to finish the match quickly, with Harmanpreet hitting a four followed by Mandhana’s successive boundaries.
Harmanpreet reached her fifty off 54 balls just before Mandhana celebrated her eighth ODI century, surpassing Mithali Raj’s record of seven by pushing Carson for a single.
Mandhana fell after contributing to a 117-run partnership when victory was just 24 runs away.
Jemimah Rodrigues then accelerated the chase with four fours in her quickfire 22 off 18 balls, helping India cross the finish line in the 45th over.
India also showcased significant improvement in the field.
After a lackluster performance in the second ODI, they executed three run-outs, including one that dismissed the in-form Suzie Bates.
Despite New Zealand’s attempt to get off to a fast start, they managed only 35 for 2 in the Power Play.
Priya Mishra, playing her second ODI, took two crucial wickets, including that of Bates and Georgia Plimmer.
New Zealand struggled, losing wickets regularly, and found themselves five down for 88.
Brooke Halliday anchored the innings, scoring a career-best 86 off 96 balls before falling in the 46th over.
Deepti Sharma continued her good form with three wickets, but New Zealand’s late surge of runs didn’t prove enough as they finished with a total that fell short of challenging India.
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