NEW DELHI: India clinched the three-match Women’s ODI series against New Zealand with a comfortable six-wicket victory in the deciding match on Tuesday.
The highlight of the match was a masterful century by star batter Smriti Mandhana, who anchored India’s chase of 233 with an unbeaten 100 runs off 122 balls.
Mandhana’s innings was a return to form for the talented batter, who had struggled to make an impact in the previous two ODIs and the preceding T20 World Cup.
Her patient yet dominant knock, studded with 10 boundaries, laid the foundation for India’s successful run chase.
After a shaky start that saw India lose Shafali Verma early, Mandhana found a willing partner in Yastika Bhatia. The duo stitched together a crucial 76-run partnership for the second wicket, steadying the Indian innings.
Bhatia played the perfect foil to Mandhana, scoring a brisk 35 runs before falling to a return catch.
Mandhana’s partnership with captain Harmanpreet Kaur proved decisive, effectively sealing the match for India.
Their 118-run stand for the third wicket deflated the New Zealand bowling attack, with Kaur playing a supporting role with an unbeaten 59.
By the time Mandhana departed in the 41st over, India were within touching distance of victory.
Earlier in the day, New Zealand recovered from a precarious 88/5 to post a respectable total of 232/5, thanks to a fighting knock of 86 runs from Brooke Halliday.
The Indian bowlers, led by Deepti Sharma and Priya Mishra, had initially dominated the proceedings, reducing New Zealand to a moderate total.
Despite the late fightback from New Zealand, Mandhana’s century proved to be the difference between the two sides.