New Zealand's Veteran Trio Levels Series; Radha Yadav's Record Partnership Highlights India's Fight
New Zealand's innings was anchored by captain Devine, who scored 79 runs and provided crucial support with the ball, dismissing both Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues. Devine’s all-round performance was complemented by Bates, who contributed 58 runs and shared a steady 87-run opening stand with Georgia Plimmer.
In a thrilling second ODI, New Zealand's experienced trio of Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, and Lea Tahuhu powered the team to a 76-run victory over India, tying the series at 1-1. The Indian side, despite a record-breaking ninth-wicket partnership, fell short of the 260-run target set by New Zealand.
New Zealand's innings was anchored by captain Devine, who scored 79 runs and provided crucial support with the ball, dismissing both Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues. Devine’s all-round performance was complemented by Bates, who contributed 58 runs and shared a steady 87-run opening stand with Georgia Plimmer. Bates and Plimmer's partnership set the tone early, though India's Radha Yadav made a stunning effort in the field, capturing two diving catches to cut New Zealand’s early momentum. Despite India's pressure during the middle overs, a late flourish from Devine and Maddy Green added 55 runs in the last six overs, taking New Zealand to a competitive 259.
India’s chase began on a rocky note, with key wickets tumbling early. Smriti Mandhana fell without scoring, and India was quickly reduced to 26 for 3. The middle-order couldn’t capitalize either, with Harmanpreet’s 24 standing out as the highest contribution from India’s top seven. Despite the setbacks, Radha Yadav’s standout performance — scoring 48 off 51 balls at No. 9 and putting together a 70-run stand with Saima Thakor — gave India a fighting chance. This partnership not only delayed the inevitable but also set a new record for India’s highest ninth-wicket stand in ODIs.
Radha's efforts, both with bat and ball (4 for 69), showcased her all-round potential, but ultimately, India’s top-order collapses overshadowed the team's resilient lower-order contributions. New Zealand's consistency, especially from its veteran players, earned them valuable points in the Women’s Championship, keeping them in the race for direct qualification for next year’s ODI World Cup.
With the series now poised at 1-1, both teams look forward to a high-stakes decider.
