Sun Oct 27 09:19:10 UTC 2024: ## India Women Dominate New Zealand in First ODI, Smriti Mandhana’s Direct Hit Steals the Show
**Ahmedabad, India:** The Indian Women’s Cricket Team started their three-match ODI series against New Zealand with a resounding victory, defeating the Kiwis by 59 runs in the first match held on Thursday.
India, led by Smriti Mandhana in the absence of the regular captain Harmanpreet Kaur, posted a total of 227 runs in their innings. Tejal Hasabnis and Deepti Sharma top-scored with 42 and 41 runs respectively, while contributions from Shafali Verma (33), Yastika Bhatia (37), and Jemimah Rodrigues (35) added to the score. Amelia Kerr shone for New Zealand with 4 wickets, followed by Jess Kerr (3), Carson (2), and Suzie Bates (1).
In reply, New Zealand struggled to chase down the target, falling short by 59 runs. They were bowled out for 168 runs in 40.1 overs. Brooke Halliday top-scored for the Kiwis with 39 runs. The Indian bowlers were dominant, with Radha Yadav claiming 3 wickets, while Saima Thakur took 2 and Deepti Sharma and Arundhati Reddy grabbed a wicket each.
However, the highlight of the match was a spectacular direct hit run-out by Captain Smriti Mandhana. In the 29.3rd over, Mandhana, fielding at 30-yard circle, reacted swiftly to a shot by Georgia Green, who attempted to run a single. Mandhana collected the ball and threw it directly at the stumps, catching Green short of her crease. This brilliant piece of fielding instantly went viral on social media.
The victory gives India a 1-0 lead in the series. The second ODI is scheduled to be played on October 27th at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
First Piper 