New Zealand Opts to Bat; India Debuts Legspinner Priya Mishra in Second ODI
On the Indian side, regular captain Harmanpreet Kaur returned to the team after being rested for the first ODI due to a minor injury. She replaced D Hemalatha in the lineup. The hosts also introduced a debutant, legspinner Priya Mishra, who took the place of Renuka Singh Thakur as India made two adjustments to their team.
In the second ODI of the series against India in Ahmedabad, New Zealand's captain Sophie Devine chose to bat first after winning the toss. The visiting team made two changes to their lineup following their loss in the first ODI, with one of the changes being forced due to injury. Spin-bowling allrounder Amelia Kerr was ruled out of the remainder of the series and part of the upcoming WBBL due to a left quadricep muscle tear. She was replaced by left-arm spinner Fran Jonas.
Additionally, right-arm pacer Lea Tahuhu came into the squad for Molly Penfold in a like-for-like swap. Penfold bowled five overs in the first match but went wicketless, conceding 28 runs and struggling with cramps.
Mishra, 20, recently showcased her skills during the India A tour of Australia, where she claimed six wickets in an unofficial Test and took five wickets in a third one-day match, contributing to a 171-run victory for India A. She was the leading wicket-taker in the 2023-24 senior women's one-day trophy, with 23 wickets to her name, and was later signed by Gujarat Giants for the WPL 2024, though she did not get a chance to play.
India currently leads the three-match series 1-0 after securing a 59-run victory in the first ODI. New Zealand, needing to win this match to keep the series alive, is also looking to gather crucial points in the Women's Championship, where they sit at No. 6. Only the top five teams, along with India as hosts, will qualify directly for the next year's World Cup.
