Smriti Mandhana Dedicates MoM Award To Bowlers After Series Win Over New Zealand

Continuing her red-hot form, Smriti Mandhana struck an unbeaten 90 as India beat New Zealand by 8 wickets in the second ODI to seal the three-match series with a match to spare. That Indian batters did not have to break much sweat while chasing the total was mainly because of the bowlers’ effort.

Led by the veteran Jhulan Goswami, India bowled out New Zealand for just 161 inside 45 overs. Goswami picked up 3 for 23 while Ekta Bisht, Deepti Sharma and Poonam Yadav picked two wickets apiece to dismiss the White Ferns for just 161 runs. Barring skipper Amy Satterthwaite (71), none of the New Zealand batter could put up any resistance in front of the visitors. Consequently, New Zealand kept on losing wickets at regular intervals and were all out for a subpar total once again.

That is it! Mithali Raj finishes it off with a SIX. India win by 8 wickets and lead the three-match series 2-0. #NZvIND

Details – https://t.co/HpmPFBz0T2 pic.twitter.com/neLHj6FJzz

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) January 29, 2019

In reply, India suffered two early setbacks in their chase. Opener Jemimah Rodrigues fell for an 8-ball duck while Deepti Sharma departed for 8 off 11. India were in a spot of bother at 15 for 2 in the fifth over before Mandhana and Mithali Raj joined forces to steer India to victory. The duo shared an unbeaten stand of 151 runs to guide India to a historic ODI series win.

Speaking after the game, Mandhana said that it is the bowlers who deserve credit for restricting the hosts to a modest total.

“162 was a very easy total to chase. I will be giving this award to all the bowlers in the team. They deserve it for restricting New Zealand to 161 on such a good wicket,” Smriti Mandhana said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

Meanwhile, India have moved into the second position in the ICC Women’s Championship after the thumping win on Tuesday. India leapfrogged New Zealand to take the second place in the table with 12 points from 11 ODIs. This was India’s sixth win, the same as New Zealand, but the women in blue are marginally ahead of New Zealand on the net run rate (0.611).