**2nd ODI: New Zealand Women Defeat India**

ZAGO 𝕸𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖆

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Post on Oct 28, 2024

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2nd ODI: New Zealand Women Defeat India in a Thrilling Encounter

The second ODI between India and New Zealand Women at the Basin Reserve in Wellington proved to be a nail-biting thriller, with the White Ferns emerging victorious by a narrow margin of three wickets. The win propelled New Zealand to a 2-0 lead in the three-match series, leaving India with a mountain to climb in the final encounter.

India's Strong Start and New Zealand's Comeback

India, after winning the toss and opting to bat first, got off to a fantastic start, with Smriti Mandhana and Yastika Bhatia putting on a 105-run stand for the opening wicket. Mandhana, in particular, was in brilliant form, reaching her fourth ODI century and finishing with 119 runs off 129 balls. India continued their strong start, with Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur contributing valuable knocks and pushing the total to a respectable 274/7 in their allotted 50 overs.

However, New Zealand's chase was far from straightforward. The White Ferns lost early wickets and found themselves struggling at 97/4. But a crucial partnership between Sophie Devine (72) and Amelia Kerr (84) turned the tide in their favor. Kerr played an aggressive innings, smashing 10 boundaries and 2 sixes, before getting dismissed in the 46th over.

Despite losing Kerr, New Zealand remained calm and collected, with Devine continuing to anchor the innings. The Kiwi captain eventually fell in the 49th over, leaving the team needing just 10 runs to win with one wicket remaining. Brooke Halliday and Hayley Jensen held their nerves, eventually securing the win with two balls to spare.

Key Talking Points

• Smriti Mandhana's Century: Mandhana's century was a highlight of the match, showcasing her class and consistency.
• Amelia Kerr's Power-hitting: Kerr's aggressive innings was vital in New Zealand's chase, providing the crucial momentum shift.
• New Zealand's Bowling: The White Ferns bowling attack, led by Hayley Jensen (3/42) and Amelia Kerr (2/50), was instrumental in keeping India's score in check.
• India's Missed Opportunities: India missed several crucial opportunities in the field, allowing New Zealand to gain momentum.

What's Next?

The final ODI of the series will be played on February 12th at the same venue, the Basin Reserve. India will be looking to bounce back from their loss and avoid a clean sweep. The New Zealand Women, on the other hand, will be aiming to complete a dominant series win and continue their impressive form.