Ahmedabad: India Women powered to a decisive 6-wicket victory over New Zealand Women in the ODI clash, reaching the target with ease and 34 balls to spare. Chasing 232, Smriti Mandhana led the charge with a masterful century, her eighth in ODI cricket, guiding India to a comfortable win.
Mandhana’s elegant 100 provided the backbone for India's innings, supported first by Yastika Bhatia, who made a solid 35, and later by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who struck an unbeaten 59 at a brisk pace. Mandhana and Harmanpreet put together a match-defining 117-run stand, sealing New Zealand’s fate as India’s batters found boundaries effortlessly.
Earlier, New Zealand posted a respectable total of 232 after being reduced to 88 for 5, thanks to a resilient 86 from Brooke Halliday. Opting to bat first, New Zealand struggled initially as tight Indian fielding saw Suzie Bates run out. Deepti Sharma and Priya Mishra further tightened the grip, picking up wickets at regular intervals.
Georgia Plimmer (39) and Halliday steadied the innings with crucial partnerships, including a 64-run stand with Isabella Gaze and a 47-run partnership with Hannah Rowe. Exhausted in the Ahmedabad heat, Halliday eventually fell, but her innings gave New Zealand a fighting chance.