India women’s cricket team celebrates with the trophy after beating New Zealand in the 3rd and final ODI at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, Gujarat on October 29, 2024 | Photo Credit: Vijay Soneji

Smriti Mandhana smashes India Women to series win over New Zealand

This was Smriti Mandhana’s 8th ODI century, taking her past Mithali Raj for the most centuries for India.

by · The Hindu

When Smriti Mandhana finds her silken touch, she puts a smile on the cricket fan’s face. On Tuesday (October 29, 2024) night, she brought the smiles back to the Indian team, too.

The stylish left-hander, who gives much joy to connoisseurs of the art in cricket, hit a sparkling 100 (122b, 10x4) to help India to coast to a six-wicket win against New Zealand in the third ODI. Chasing 232, the Women in Blue got home with 5.4 overs to spare.

They thus won the series 2-1, some consolation after the disappointment in the recent T20 World Cup in the UAE. Beating the champion may have made it a bit sweeter.

It was two partnerships featuring Smriti that made the chase a stroll in the park for India. After the early dismissal of Shafali Verma, she put on 76 for the second wicket with wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia (35, 49b, 4x4) and 117 for the third with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (59 not out, 63b, 6x4).

This was Smriti’s eighth century in ODIs and now has overtaken Mithali Raj as the leading scorer of hundreds for India. She may have taken some time to find her rhythm, but once she did, those lofts, pulls and drives flew off her blade.

Smriti Mandhana in action during the third and final ODI between India and New Zealand women’s teams at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on October 29, 2024. | Photo Credit: Vijay Soneji

Earlier, Brooke Halliday’s career-best 86 (96b, 9x4, 3x6) helped the White Ferns recover from a batting collapse. Half the side was back in the pavilion before the half-way mark of the innings.

At 88 for five, the Indians may have hoped for a shorter target to chase, but Halliday stood firm. She battled hard against the spirited Indian attack and the oppressive heat, choosing only the right balls to go hard at.

The visitors had begun disastrously with Suzies Bates getting run out in the seventh over. In the next over, Saima Thakor got the ball to shape away a little to produce a thick outside edge off Lauren Down, and when the new spinning kid on the block, Priya Mishra’s googly cleaned up Sophie Devine, fresh from her match-winning knock, New Zealand was in trouble.

Priya and Saima would strike again before long, but Halliday found support from wicketkeeper Isabella Gaze (25, 49b), and they added 64 for the sixth wicket. Then Lea Tahuhu’s quickfire 24 not out (14b, 2x4, 1x6) gave the total the finishing touch.

That total, though, was destined to be eclipsed by the Smriti touch.

Published - October 30, 2024 11:47 am IST