In a thrilling finale at Ahmedabad, India Women clinched the ODI series 2-1 against New Zealand with a resounding 6-wicket victory. Winning the toss, New Zealand chose to bat but struggled to gain momentum, with the Indian bowlers striking early to leave the visitors at a precarious 88/5. Georgia Plimmer held on with a modest 39, but it was Brooke Halliday’s resilience that defined New Zealand’s innings. Battling the heat, Halliday smashed a career-best 86 off 96 balls, reviving the innings alongside Isabella Gaze (25) in a crucial 64-run stand for the sixth wicket. Late fireworks from Lea Tahuhu (24* off 14) pushed New Zealand’s total to 232 before they were bowled out in 49.5 overs, with Deepti Sharma starring for India with figures of 3/39.

India’s chase was built on a classy century from vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, who scored a commanding 100 off 122 balls. Despite losing Shafali Verma early, Mandhana and Yastika Bhatia added 76 for the second wicket, laying a solid foundation. Mandhana then combined forces with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur in a 117-run stand, showcasing her experience and registering her 8th ODI ton. Though Mandhana fell after her century, Kaur remained steady, steering the team home with an unbeaten 59. Jemimah Rodrigues’s quick cameo added finishing touches, sealing India’s victory in the 45th over and completing a memorable series win.

See Also: In what ways has Rohit Sharma's form in Test cricket fluctuated over recent series?

Breakdown of Smriti Mandhana's Century 

In the third ODI match against New Zealand, Smriti Mandhana showcased her adaptability and prowess against varied bowling attacks, leading India’s successful chase with a match-winning performance. Facing a mixture of left-arm orthodox, right-arm medium, and right-arm offbreak bowlers, Mandhana’s innings reflected her tactical adjustments to each style. Her calculated approach and range of shots made her the backbone of India’s chase, setting up the win that sealed the ODI series.

Mandhana started steadily against the left-arm orthodox bowlers, collecting 18 runs from 20 balls at a strike rate of 90. Though she didn’t hit any half-centuries or boundaries in this phase, she still found gaps for singles and doubles, showing her footwork and timing against spin. With 40% dot balls, she maintained a watchful approach while ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking, allowing her to build a foundation early in the innings.

The most significant portion of her runs came against the right-arm medium bowlers, where she truly dominated. She scored 65 off 66 balls, striking at 98.5, with eight boundaries to her name. This phase saw Mandhana shift gears, capitalizing on the pace and using her powerful drives to find the fence consistently. Even though she lost her wicket twice to the medium-pacers, she ensured that India remained in a strong position, and her sole half-century of the innings highlighted her control over this bowling style.

Against the right-arm offbreak bowlers, Mandhana demonstrated a more conservative approach, scoring 25 off 42 balls at a strike rate of 59.5. With 50% dot balls, she carefully maneuvered around spin, focusing on preserving her wicket and rotating the strike. This phase of her innings reflected her maturity, as she balanced aggression with caution to avoid unnecessary risks, aware of the need to anchor India’s chase.

By the time Mandhana was dismissed, she had already laid a solid platform, leaving minimal work for the lower order. Her ability to handle different bowling types with both caution and aggression underscored her experience and value as a top-order batter. This well-crafted knock not only earned her personal accolades but also secured India’s series win, with Mandhana further establishing herself as a dependable finisher in crucial matches.

See Also: Sydney Sixers Edge Past Melbourne Renegades with Ellyse Perry's Match-Winning Knock