A brilliant half-century by Thirush Kamini lifted India to a nine-wicket win over New Zealand and enabled them to take the five-match women’s One-Day International (ODI) series 3-2 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday.
After bundling out New Zealand for 118 in 41 overs, India, spearheaded by Kamini (62 not out, 78b, 13×4) and Deepti Sharma (44 not out, 78b, 8×4), who put on 103 runs for the second wicket, made 121 for 1 in 27.2 overs to round off a commanding performance.
Barring skipper Suzie Bates (42, 85b, 2×4) and Anna Peterson (22), none of the Black Caps batters stayed long enough at the crease to ensure a challenging total. Bates’ dismissal, caught at cover by counterpart Mithali Raj off left-arm spinner Ekta Bisht in the 34th over, effectively curtailed the visitors’ innings.
Earlier, Bates and Sophie Devine (18) somewhat retrieved the situation after early loss of wickets by adding 49 runs for the third wicket while Peterson hung around to take the Kiwis past the 100-run mark as they slid from 61 for 2 to 118 all out.
For India, pacers Jhulan Goswami and Deepti Sharma, and left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad took two wickets apiece.
India responded strongly and though opener Smriti Mandhana (13) fell early after playing a little cameo, Kamini and Sharma, both batting with freedom, carried India to a deserving victory.
