Harmanpreet Kaur was back among the runs as the India women’s cricket team finally managed to beat New Zealand in the series-ending fifth ODI for a consolation six-wicket win here on Thursday.
The India bowlers, who under-performed prior to the game, finally got their act together to limit New Zealand to 251 for nine in 50 overs.
India chased the down the target in 46 overs, courtesy Harmanpreet’s 63 off 66 balls and Smriti Mandhana’s 71 off 84 balls. Skipper Mithali Raj remained unbeaten on 57. Having lost the one off T20 and first four ODIs, India badly needed a win ahead of the ODI World Cup next month.
Deepti Sharma, Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Sneh Rana took two wickets each.
Brief scores: New Zealand Women 251/9 in 50 overs (A. Kerr 66; R. Gayakwad 2/61, D. Sharma 2/42, S. Rana 2/40). India Women 252/4 in 46 overs (S. Mandhana 71, H. Kaur 63, M. Raj 54 n.o.). India Women won by 6 wickets.
