India Women beat New Zealand women by 59 runs
India Women secured a convincing victory over New Zealand Women by 59 runs in their first ODI match, showcasing their strong performance on home soil. Batting first, India posted a competitive total of 228 runs. India struggled to post a competitive total on a good batting surface. Shafali Verma looked in good touch but couldn’t convert her start. While five batters crossed 30 but failed to push on for a big score. India’s top score was Tejal Hasabnis with her 42-run knock. Amelia Kerr was the standout bowler for New Zealand, finishing with 4/34, while her sister Jess Kerr took three wickets to restrict India to 227.
In response, New Zealand struggled to build momentum against a disciplined Indian bowling attack. The bowlers executed their plans effectively, taking crucial wickets at regular intervals. Radha Yadav led India’s bowling attack with three wickets, while Saima picked up two on debut. Deepti Sharma and Arundhati Reddy also chipped in with a wicket each, and India’s sharp fielding resulted in three crucial run-outs. Despite a valiant effort from the New Zealand middle order, they could only manage 168 runs before being bowled out, falling short of the target.
The team will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for the next matches against New Zealand. The win is a positive sign for India Women, who aim to establish themselves as a dominant force in women’s cricket following recent performances.