Twitter Reactions: India women sign off on high with brilliant run chase against New Zealand

India Women finally managed to win a game on the tour of New Zealand as they chased down a stiff target with an excellent batting effort. Experienced batters Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur and Mithali Raj all stepped up for the side with half-centuries and this will be a much-needed win going into the women’s World Cup next month.

Earlier in the day, the New Zealand women won the toss and opted to bat first at the John Davies Oval in Queensland. Meghna Singh got India an early breakthrough with the massive wicket of Suzie Bates while skipper Sophie Devine and in form batter Amelia Kerr built up a good partnership for the second wicket. Devine was dismissed for a 41-ball 34 while Kerr kept finding the boundaries from another end.

Amy Satterthwaite could add just 12 runs to her side’s tally while Deepti Sharma picked up the big wicket of Kerr for a well made 66. Lauren Down (30) and Katey Martin (15) got a small partnership going, however, both were sent back to the dressing room in a quick time. Hayley Jensen helped the side to get a respectable total with an important cameo of 33-ball 30 while Frances Mackay and Hannah Rowe ensured that New Zealand women get past the 250 run mark.

Harmanpreet Kaur gets back to form in style

With 252 to chase down, the Indian openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana with a determined mindset but the former were dismissed for just nine runs in the fifth over. Deepti Sharma and Mandhana put on a partnership of 60 runs for the second wicket and brought the right momentum into the chase. Mandhana, in particular, looked really good at the crease with an 84-ball 71 and the out of form batter Harmanpreet Kaur showed excellent intent once Deepti was dismissed.

Harmanpreet’s 63 ball-66 was the need of the hour and she got good support from the other end from the skipper Mithali Raj. Finally, the pair of Mithali and Richa Ghosh got India over the line and the former was unbeaten on 57 as well. New Zealand won the series 4-1 while India women got a consolidation win in the end.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to the game: