India Women pulled off a resounding 6-wicket win over New Zealand Women in the third and final ODI, claiming the series 2-1 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Led by standout performances from Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma, India chased down New Zealand’s total of 232 with ease, sealing the game in just 44.2 overs.
Match Summary:
- New Zealand: 232 all out (49.5 overs)
- India: 236/4 (44.2 overs)
- Result: India Women won by 6 wickets
- Player of the Match: Smriti Mandhana (100 runs)
- Player of the Series: Deepti Sharma
First Innings:
New Zealand’s innings was a mixed bag, with Brooke Halliday’s resilient knock being the standout. The visitors managed to set a target of 232 runs, with India’s spinners, led by Deepti Sharma, applying pressure throughout. Deepti’s clever variations helped her pick up two wickets while maintaining a restrictive economy rate, setting the tone for India’s chase.
Second Innings:
India’s chase was anchored by Smriti Mandhana, who scored her 8th ODI century with poise and control. After a cautious start, she quickly found her rhythm, while Yastika Bhatia (35) and Harmanpreet Kaur (59*) provided valuable partnerships. Mandhana and Harmanpreet’s 117-run stand showcased precise shot selection, helping India wrap up the series in style. New Zealand’s bowlers couldn’t extract the same turn, giving India ample room to score comfortably.
Post-Match Reactions:
- Deepti Sharma (Player of the Series): “I enjoy myself on the field, which takes the pressure off. The wicket helped sometimes with skid, and I varied my pace accordingly. It’s always about believing in myself and focusing on how I can contribute.”
- Harmanpreet Kaur (India Captain): “Happy to see the team execute well today. Smriti played a crucial role, especially early on. We will continue working on our fielding as we aim to be the best fielding side.”
- Sophie Devine (New Zealand Captain): “Proud of the team, especially under challenging conditions and missing Amelia. We’ll go home, reflect, and come back stronger.”
- Smriti Mandhana (Player of the Match): “It’s satisfying to help the team win. Today was about being disciplined early on and waiting to take control after the first 10 overs. Playing for the team means a lot, and I’m glad to have delivered today.”
Key Stats:
- India’s Spinners: Deepti Sharma bowled 10 overs, conceding just 30 runs and taking two wickets.
- Mandhana’s Century: Smriti’s knock of 100 set up India’s chase, bringing her closer to elite ranks in women’s cricket.
Conclusion:
India’s stellar win not only gives them a morale boost after the recent T20 World Cup campaign but also highlights their growing consistency on home soil. Fans can follow all the latest action and insights on Vegas11, where expert analyst Arjun and the team break down each game with in-depth commentary and live scores.