Twitter Reactions: Radha Yadav’s heroics not enough as New Zealand level series

Be it with the bat, bowl or in the field, Radha Yadav gave her all in the middle but it wasn’t enough as New Zealand picked up a comfortable 76-run win over India at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad to level the ODI series 1-1.

Veterans Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine stepped up and scored a half-century each in the first innings and that in the end proved to be the difference between the two sides. The Indian bowlers failed to put pressure early on as New Zealand got to a good start. Senior batters took responsibility as Bates (58 off 70) and Devine (79 off 86) kept them steady. Later, Maddy Green scored 42 off 41 to help the White Ferns post 259. 

Indian batters had a terrible time in the match as Smriti Mandhana’s poor form continued, with the left-handed bagging a duck, while her opening partner Shafali Verma was sent back for just 11. The returning Harmanpreet Kaur made 24 runs. Just like the T20 World Cup 2024, the Indian batters failed to contribute significantly and that resulted in a defeat.

Check Out - WATCH: Radha Yadav pulls off stunning diving catch to send Brooke Halliday packing

The opening duo is going through turmoil, particularly Mandhana, who has registered four single-digit scores in the last five games. In the middle order, Jemimah Rodrigues, Tejal Hajabnis and Deepti Sharma too couldn’t make a mark, scoring 17, 15 and 15 respectively. India were reduced to 108/8 at one stage.

It was Radha who played a sensational knock of 48 runs and built a 70-run partnership with Saima Thakor to help the hosts remain in the contest. Notably, in the first innings, Radha clinched four wickets and also picked up two stunning catches. She proved to be the one-woman army but the lack of support around her meant India could not seal the series. 

Check out how X reacted:

A spectacular catch by Radha Yadav in the 2nd ODI against New Zealand today. 🫡🥶

What a frame! 👌#RadhaYadav #INDvNZ #INDWvNZW pic.twitter.com/81sIdgD9Tz

— Saabir Zafar (@Saabir_Saabu01) October 27, 2024

New Zealand have levelled the series 1-1 by winning second W-ODI by 76 run.
NZW - 259/9
INDW - 183
The series decider will be played on October 29. #INDWvNZW pic.twitter.com/bAGnyYQbS2

— Sushma (@sush_3006) October 27, 2024

Radha Yadav in the 2nd ODI against New Zealand today:

With the ball: 10-0-69-4

In the field: 3 catches

With the bat: 48(64) with 5 fours

It was all Radha Yadav today! 🇮🇳🤩#RadhaYadav #INDvNZ #INDWvNZW pic.twitter.com/0HB9bO1Np4

— Saabir Zafar (@Saabir_Saabu01) October 27, 2024

Deepti sharma
Please just for once in ur life make India win the match with ur batting
If possible do that today only
Before I die I want to see u play one..just one match winning innings with the bat (not like that 160 against Ireland do it against SENA-WI)#INDvNZ #INDWvNZW

— Tanish (@raavi_tanish) October 27, 2024

#INDWvNZW Indian trying hard to match up the Men in playing T20 cricket in the wrong format.

With an asking rate. what is the meed of going aerial at all????

What to expect when your coach was the Bazball Player of his time?

Rahul Dravid needed!!!@BCCIWomen @JayShah

— Sanjeev Chhabra (@chhabs63) October 27, 2024

Another failure for Smriti Mandhana. What is even happening to her?#INDWvNZW #INDWvsNZW

— 🔁 (@Tutterdotcom) October 27, 2024

Smriti Mandhana in the ODI series against New Zealand:

5(7) in the first ODI.
0(2) in the second ODI.#SmritiMandhana #INDvNZ #INDWvNZW pic.twitter.com/IzAj9Ao0gr

— Saabir Zafar (@Saabir_Saabu01) October 27, 2024

Radha Yadav is no less than Virat Kohli in this catch .#INDWvNZW pic.twitter.com/JqoU0QeETh

— Mukesh Choudhary (@JATMukesh07) October 27, 2024