Smriti 100 in 3rd ODI powers India to 2-1 ODI series win over New Zealand

 



A fine bowling performance by India followed by a superb 100 by vice captain  Smriti Mandhana  helped India to win the 3 match ODI series vs their nemesis New Zealand by 2-1 . 

In  the third One-Day International match, Harmanpreet Kaur and her team defeated the New Zealand women’s team by six wickets. Smriti Mandhana scored a century, leading India to an easy victory with a 117-run partnership between her and Harmanpreet. Batting first, New Zealand set a target of 232 runs in 49.5 overs, while India chased it down with 236 runs in 44.2 overs for the loss of four wickets.


New Zealand's captain, Sophie Devine, opted to bat after winning the toss. However, the recently crowned T20 world champions struggled on the Ahmedabad pitch. New Zealand was under pressure, losing five wickets for 88 runs. Opener Suzie Bates (4), third batter Lauren Down (1), and Devine (9) were dismissed early, leaving the team at 36 for 3. Opener Georgia Plimmer and Brooke Halliday then steadied the innings. Plimmer scored a resilient 39 off 67 balls, while Halliday held one end, contributing 86 off 96 balls, pushing New Zealand to a competitive total. Isabella Gaze (25*) and Lea Tahuhu (24*) provided crucial runs at the end to take New Zealand past the 200-run mark.


Among Indian bowlers, Deepti Sharma was the most successful, taking three wickets for 39 runs. Priya Mishra took two wickets for 41 runs, while Saima Thakur and Renuka Singh picked up a wicket each, conceding 44 and 49 runs respectively.


Chasing 233, India started aggressively. Opener Shafali Verma was out for 12 after hitting a couple of crisp 4s , but Smriti Mandhana continued confidently, forming a a fine 76 run partnership with Yastika Bhatia, who scored an impressive 35 off 49 balls. After Yastika’s dismissal, captain Harmanpreet joined Mandhana. Smriti scored a splendid 100 off 122 balls, including 10 fours, marking her eighth century in ODIs and bringing India close to victory. Harmanpreet remained unbeaten, securing the win with a composed 59 off 63 balls, hitting six boundaries. Jemimah Rodrigues also contributed with a quickfire 22 off 18 balls before she got out lbw . 

New Zealand after winning the 2nd ODI could not replicate the same performance in the decider . They definitely missed the services of Amelia Kerr who was out of the series with a leg injury suffered in the 1st match in which she took 4 wickets . 


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