It was Devine's all-around skill that helped New Zealand level the series.
In summary, New Zealand defeated India by 76 runs at 259/9 in 50 overs (Sophie Devine 79, Suzie Bates 58, Radha Yadav 469), whereas India won at 183 in 47.1 overs (Radha Yadav 48, Lea Tahuhu 3-42, Sophie Devine 3-27).
The victory in the second ODI against India in Ahmedabad may have been understated in a fortnight of historic sporting accomplishments for the nation, but New Zealand not only tied the series at three matches but also earned vital Women's Championship points to give them a major boost and direct qualification to the ODI World Cup next year. The team's senior cricketers made significant contributions to their 76-run triumph, chief among them Sophie Devine, who scored 79 off 86 in the team's 259 total before taking three wickets to support it.
Similar to their triumph against India in last month's T20 World Cup, which put the White Ferns on a path to gold, openers Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer laid the groundwork for this victory by scoring 87 runs in 15.3 overs when the visitors chose to bat on a top-notch batting surface. The two relied more on timing than power, hitting 13 fours and a six between them in the opening 15 overs.
After recovering from an injury, Harmanpreet Kaur added spin as early as the sixth over, but India was disappointed by yet another poor defensive performance, with Deepti Sharma giving Plimmer a break from her own bowling when Plimmer was still on 16. Plimmer hit rookie legspinner Priya Mishra with a six and a four thanks to that fortunate break.
Radha Yadav Performed alone.
Ironically, India made their breakthrough thanks to a stroke of fielding genius from Radha Yadav, who went full stretch to her right from her position at mid-wicket to remove Plimmer for 41. Deepti missed three catches throughout the session. After then, India was able to control the score since it was difficult to score off of the off-pace deliveries. A Bates drive that bounced off Priya's hands into the stumps and caught Lauren Down just short of her crease gave India another opportunity.
Soon after reaching her half-century, Bates too fell before India added a fourth wicket—that of Brooke Halliday—thanks to yet another superb fielding effort from Radha.
The combination of Devine and Maddy Green (42 off 41) gave New Zealand the boost they needed when they were down 139 for 4 in the 32nd over. Green kept the scoreboard moving at the opposite end as Devine sliced and pulled forcefully, much like in the game in Dubai. The skipper of New Zealand reached her half-century off 65 balls after overturning an LBW ruling against her. With Devine batting through, New Zealand rushed beyond the 250-run mark, scoring 55 runs in the last six overs. Radha's outstanding fielding performance culminated in numbers of 4 for 69.
Despite Shafali Verma hitting Lea Tahuhu for a four to the opening ball of the innings, India's pursuit got off to a poor start.
However, the experienced seamer had the vice-captain of India drive uppishly to backward point, dismissing Smriti Mandhana in that opening over. In the fourth over, India also lost Varma after she was pinged in front of the stumps after playing a ball of about length from Jess Kerr. Soon after, Tahuhu had Yastika Bhatia nicking off, putting India three down for 26.
Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet started to reorganize the chase, but Devine interrupted their 38-run partnership when Rodrigues edged an attempted cut to Isabella Gaze behind the stumps. Devine also claimed the wicket of the Indian skipper, who had worked her way to 24 before being caught by the deep mid-wicket fielder with an uppish short-arm jab.
The writing was clearly on the wall by the 26th over, when India was reduced to 102 for 7. Radha led a brief rearguard to support her outstanding performance in the first innings, but the hosts didn't give up just yet. Radha contributed 70 for the ninth wicket as Saima Thakor was at his side. If nothing else, her 45 helped to narrow the final margin of loss.
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