Indo-Asian News Service
Bangalore, July 6: The Indian eves’ batting came good as they overcame New Zealand by eight wickets, chasing down a target of 221, to level the five-match ODI series 2-2 here Monday.
Skipper Mithali Raj (81 n o, 88b, 10×4), who completed 5,000 runs in ODIs, and Smriti Mandhana (66, 99b, 8×4) put on 124 runs for the second wicket as India overhauled New Zealand’s total with 34 balls to spare.
The teams will meet again in the deciding fifth game of the series Wednesday at the same venue with the Kiwis hoping to win their first bilateral series in three attempts in India.
Opting to bat, the Kiwis were bundled out in 49.5 overs with Sophie Devine (89, 102b, 10×4, 3×6) and Amy Satterthwaite (43, 55b, 6×4, 1×6) doing most of the scoring.
The hosts were bolstered by the efforts of pacer Niranjana Nagarajan (3/35) and left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad (3/25).
India replied strongly as openers Thirush Kamini (31) and Mandhana put on 49 runs to provide a solid foundation. The latter was poised for a big score but was caught off a full toss from Anna Peterson by Katie Perkins at midwicket.
After Mandhana’s exit, all-rounder Harmanpreet Kaur (32 n o, 25b, 4×4, 2×6) and Mithali continued to toy around with the Kiwi bowling which wilted under pressure as the pair took the team over the finish line.
Brief scores: New Zealand 220 in 49.5 overs (Sophie Devine 89, Amy Satterthwaite 43; Niranjana Nagarajan 3/35, Rajeshwari Gayakwad 3/25) lost to India 221 for 2 in 44.2 overs (Mithali Raj 81 n o, Smriti Mandhana 66) by 8 wickets.
