A day after Virat Kohli & Co. won the ODI series against New Zealand, the Women in Blue thumped the White Ferns on Tuesday at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. Chasing a modest 162-run target, opener Smriti Mandhana (90*) played the anchor while skipper Mithali Raj (63*) finished the game in style, with eight wickets in hand.
Madhana, who continued her promising batting show, was adjudged the Player of the Match but she won a million hearts with her amazing gestures. The left-hander gave her award away to the Indian bowlers during the presentation ceremony, mentioning that they deserve it more than her.
“I will be giving this award to all the bowlers in the team. They deserve it for bowling New Zealand Women out for 161 on such a track,” Mandhana mentioned.
Though Mandhana and Mithali stitched a match-winning 151-run unbroken third-wicket stand, it was the Indian bowling attack that played the lead role in setting the stage for the batters. Veteran quick Jhulan Goswami led the Indian bowling charge with her 3-wicket haul. The spin trio of Ekta Bisht, Poonam Yadav and Deepti Sharma took two wickets each to bundle up the Kiwi eves for a paltry 161.
India have now taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match contest, which is part of the ICC Women's Championship series. The visiting side beat New Zealand in the first one-dayer by nine wickets at the same venue on January 24. The third and final match of the series is scheduled to be held in Hamilton on February 1.