Smriti Mandhana scored 8th ODI century, India won the series against New Zealand

By Sandy Verma On Oct 30, 2024

Mumbai Mumbai. Charismatic Indian batsman Smriti Mandhana finally played an innings to her potential as India defeated New Zealand by six wickets in the decider here on Tuesday to clinch the three-match women's ODI series 2-1. Mandhana (100 off 122 balls), who had not shown her class at the top of the order in the last two matches, scored her eighth ODI century, the most by an in-form Indian. India achieved the target of 233 runs in 44.2 overs. New Zealand recovered from the dangerous score of 88/5 thanks to Brook Halliday (86 runs from 96 balls) and scored 232 runs for five wickets. Before the decider, Mandhana had scored only five runs in the last two matches and her performance in the last T20 World Cup was also not good, but with her stay at the crease on 123 balls and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (59 not out off 63 balls) The partnership of 118 runs laid the foundation for an easy victory.

Mandhana lost her opening partner Shafali Verma (12) early, but wicketkeeper-batsman Yastika Bhatia (35) played an ideal role for her senior teammate and stitched a 76-run partnership. Yastika was out trying to play a fuller ball outside off, but gave a return catch to New Zealand captain Sophie Devine. After her dismissal, Harmanpreet came to the crease and her partnership with Mandhana flourished, in which Mandhana hit 10 fours. By the time Mandhana was out for 209 in the 41st over off the bowling of right-arm fast bowler Hannah Rowe, she had almost completed the job for India.

Earlier, New Zealand's middle-order batsman Halliday scored 86 runs in 96 balls and took New Zealand to a fighting score. Initially, the Indian bowlers batted in unison and gave all kinds of problems to the visiting team with their disciplined line and length. Got into trouble.

Looking to win the series and regain lost ground after an early defeat in the T20 World Cup, India started the match strongly and posted 25 runs for two wickets in 7.1 overs to hand the Kiwis victory. Jemimah Rodrigues and wicketkeeper Yastika combined to run out Suzie Bates, while Lauren Down was dismissed by Saima Thakor at the start of the eighth over.