New Zealand Women’s cricket team bounced back in style to level the three-match ODI series against India at 1-1, with a clinical 76-run victory that showcased the all-round prowess of their captain, Sophie Devine. Devine’s impactful performance, both with the bat and ball, helped New Zealand dominate the second ODI in Ahmedabad, following a previous 59-run loss to India in the series opener.
After winning the toss, New Zealand elected to bat, a decision that paid off handsomely. Devine led from the front, scoring an impressive 79 runs, with significant support from Maddy Green, who held her ground alongside her captain, helping New Zealand build a solid foundation. This partnership proved crucial in countering India’s strong bowling unit, which had previously dismantled the New Zealand lineup. Together, Devine and Green’s collaboration propelled New Zealand to a competitive total of 259 runs.
In response, India faced an uphill battle, needing to chase 260 on a pitch that began to favor the bowlers as the game progressed. However, India’s innings stumbled under pressure from New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack. Sophie Devine, after her contributions with the bat, proved equally destructive with the ball, capturing key wickets and maintaining an economical bowling spell. Amelia and Jess Kerr also delivered strong performances, further tightening the screws on India’s batting order.
India’s top-order batsmen struggled to gain momentum, with early wickets disrupting their chase. Standout performances by Radha Yadav and Saima Thakor, who provided resistance in the lower order, showed promise but were not enough to tip the scales. Thakor, an emerging talent, had previously impressed in the series with her accurate deliveries and tight lines, adding a new level of depth to India’s bowling attack alongside the experienced Yadav. Yet, both batters faced the daunting task of carrying a weakened middle order, which had been effectively dismantled by the New Zealand bowlers.
The second ODI underlined some challenges India needs to address, particularly the consistency in their middle order and the ability to convert starts into substantial partnerships. The aggressive stance of Shafali Verma was met with limited success, as she fell to the precision of New Zealand’s spinners. Likewise, Tejal Hasabnis and Deepti Sharma, both of whom had shown flashes of form, could not fully capitalize on their starts. Deepti’s late efforts to add stability were commendable but fell short due to a lack of support from the tail-enders. The Indian team’s reliance on specific players, particularly when facing top-tier teams like New Zealand, highlighted areas that could benefit from a more cohesive approach and added depth in both batting and bowling.
For New Zealand, this match was a display of their resilience and adaptability. Sophie Devine’s ability to steer her team from the front while adapting her approach based on the game’s requirements was instrumental in New Zealand’s success. Amelia Kerr, with her knack for picking up crucial wickets, played a significant role as well, utilizing her leg-spin to curb India’s scoring rate. Jess Kerr’s pace and accuracy provided additional support, ensuring that New Zealand maintained the upper hand throughout India’s chase.
As the series stands poised at 1-1, both teams will enter the final ODI with heightened focus and tactical adjustments. India will be keen on solidifying their batting strategy, perhaps exploring ways to better support their lower order and avoid collapses against New Zealand’s aggressive bowling. New Zealand, on the other hand, will look to build on their balanced attack, which has proven effective against India’s lineup. Sophie Devine’s performance in this match is likely to set the tone for what promises to be an intense and strategic final game, with both teams aiming to clinch the series victory.
This levelled series not only underscores the competitive spirit in women’s cricket but also highlights the growing talent and depth in teams like India and New Zealand. With the deciding match around the corner, the cricketing community anticipates a thrilling conclusion to this fiercely contested series.