Deepti Sharma Shines as India Takes 1-0 Lead Over New Zealand in ODI Series

Deepti Sharma's impressive all-round performance, combined with Radha Yadav's effective bowling, powered India to a 59-run victory over New Zealand in the opening ODI in Ahmedabad. Deepti contributed with both bat (41 runs) and ball (1/35), while Radha Yadav took three crucial wickets for 35 runs, stifling New Zealand's chase.

After opting to bat first, India had a shaky start with acting skipper Smriti Mandhana, filling in for an injured Harmanpreet Kaur, dismissed for just five runs by Jess Kerr. Shafali Verma and Yastika Bhatia built momentum with an aggressive approach, particularly targeting Jess in the fifth over. However, India hit trouble in the middle overs as Yastika and Dayalan Hemalatha fell shortly after the PowerPlay. Jemimah Rodrigues and debutant Tejal Hasabnis then stabilized India’s innings with a 61-run stand, rotating strike effectively to keep the scoreboard ticking, though boundaries remained sparse.

When Rodrigues and Hasabnis both departed in quick succession, Deepti stepped up to help India pass the 200-run mark. Working well with the lower order, she kept the score moving, though New Zealand’s Amelia and Jess Kerr picked up wickets at regular intervals. India were eventually bowled out for 227 in 44.3 overs.

New Zealand’s chase started poorly, with veteran Suzie Bates dismissed for one by debutant Saima Thakor. Georgia Plimmer briefly counter-attacked, hitting several boundaries but was dismissed by Deepti in the PowerPlay. The visitors suffered another blow as captain Sophie Devine was run out in a strange sequence, with her foot just on the crease line as Yastika Bhatia whipped off the bails.

Maddy Green and Brooke Halliday added stability to the innings with a 49-run partnership that posed a threat to India's defense. However, India’s bowling attack tightened its grip, as Thakor dismissed Halliday, and Green was run-out shortly after, halting New Zealand’s progress. Jess Kerr's dismissal for three further weakened New Zealand’s chances.

Amelia Kerr, batting lower down at number nine, made a valiant attempt to revive the chase, but support ran out quickly. Isabella Gaze was caught at long-on, Radha bowled Molly Penfold, and Carson was run out, sealing a comprehensive 59-run victory for India.

Brief Scores:

• India: 227 all-out in 44.3 overs (Tejal Hasabnis 42, Deepti Sharma 41; Jess Kerr 4-42, Amelia Kerr 3-49)
• New Zealand: 169 all-out in 40.4 overs (Brooke Halliday 39, Maddy Green 31; Radha Yadav 3-35, Saima Thakor 2-26)

India now leads the ODI series 1-0.