IND-W Win By 59 Runs | India Women vs New Zealand Women Highlights of 1st ODI 2024: Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav Help Women in Blue Secure 1-0 Lead

India win by 59 runs! What a win this is for India, as they defended a low score and came out on top by a considerable margin. Not having much on the board, the Women in Blue bowled and fielded excellently to down the White Ferns in the 1st ODI 2024. Chasing 228 to win, India bowled out New Zealand for 168 with Amelia Kerr remaining unbeaten on 25. For India, Radha Yadav took three wickets and was the best bowler while debutant Saima Thakor took two wickets. Deepti Sharma and Arundhati Reddy scalped one apiece. Earlier, another debutant Tejal Hasabnis scored a crucial 42 to help India put up 227. It was a sensational performance, especially on the field and with ball in hand as the Women in Blue go 1-0 up with this victory. The New Zealand women's cricket team, competing in their first match since becoming champions in the shortest format days ago, suffered a loss and would look to bounce back in the next game. 

OUT! Radha Yadav has another wicket and she has castled Molly Penfold. The ball was tossed up and deceived Molly Penfold who had come down the track!  Molly Penfold b Radha Yadav 1(4)

OUT! India have one more wicket with Arundhati Reddy dismissing Isabella Gaze! The NZ-W wicketkeeper-batter opted to go down the ground but got more height than distance on it with Saima Thakor taking the catch. India are not letting New Zealand run away with this contest. Isabella Gaze c Saima Thakor b Arundhati Reddy 9(36)

Amelia Kerr and Isabella Gaze have steadied the run chase for New Zealand and the equation is getting tense with every over. At the end of 39 overs, New Zealand need 66 runs in as many deliveries. India on the other end, need a wicket here big time. 

Amelia Kerr has walked out to bat alongside Isabella Gaze and New Zealand would want these two to continue for as long as they can so that they can get closer to the Indian total before unleashing the big shots. India on the other hand, would want to break this partnership. 

OUT! Another wicket for India with Radha Yadav dismissing Jess Kerr! The right-hander wanted to slog the ball away but miscued with Saima Thakor taking a good catch.  Jess Kerr c Saima Thakor b Radha Yadav 3(5)

OUT! Two wickets for India in the 30th over!  Saima Thakor takes a good catch of her own bowling to dismiss Brooke Halliday while Smriti Mandhana ran out Maddy Green with a direct hit! India are right back in this contest with New Zealand under pressure. Brooke Halliday c and b Saima Thakor 39(54) and Maddy Green run out (Smriti Mandhana) 32(32)

New Zealand didn't have the best of starts as after Sophie Devine's unfortunate run out, they have lost well-set Lauren Down as well. Down came down the track to go down the ground but didn't get enough elevation. Brooke Halliday and Maddy Green are trying to stitch a partnership here and take the game deep. Lauren Down c Tejal Hasabnis b Radha Yadav 26(56).

Out! Careless from Sophie Devine. Defends a ball from Deepti Sharm but was lazy to come back to the crease. Yastika Bhatia shows the sense and clips the bails off just in time. Third umpire review shows Devine was outside the crease when the light goes off. Massive wicket for India Women.  Devine run out (Deepti Sharma/Yastika) 2(5).

Out! Deepti Sharma breaks the partnership. After a decent partnership between Georgia Plimmer and Lauren Down, Deepti sends Plimmer back and gives India a crucial breakthrough. Ball was sticking in the wicket and Plimmer was hitting it straight back towards Deepti. After surviving once, second time Deepti was able to grab the lobbed ball.  Plimmer c and b Deepti Sharma 25(25).

Saima Thakor struck early for India dismissing Suzie Bates. Thakor's action foxed Bates to edge one into the hands of Yastika Bhatia. Sensing early trouble Suzie Bates and Lauren Down look to stitch a steady partnership. Bates c Yastika b Saima Thakor 1(4).

Out! The poor decision making from the tailenders from India Women's team caused them to not play the entire overs. Deepti Sharma was pushed under pressure as her partners kept getting dismissed and she gets bowed trying to attempt a sweep. New Zealand Women will be happy with their efforts.  Deepti Sharma b Jess Kerr 41(51).

Out! India Women are losing the plot here. Instead of supporting Deepti Sharma deep in the innings, Saima Thakor goes for the big shot but picks out deep mid-wicket. Saima Thakor c (sub)Rowe b Amelia Kerr 2(6).

Out! Radha Yadav doesn't stay for long. Radha Yadav punches the ball of Jess Kerr straight into the hands of Kerr. Deepti Sharma will need some support at the other end for a strong finish. Radha Yadav c and b Jess Kerr 3(4).

Out! End of a very effective short partnership between Deepti Sharma and Arundhati Reddy. Reddy perishes trying to go big. Tries to pull Amelia Kerr but top edges it to only get holes out at the deep. Arundhati Reddy c (sub)Rowe b Amelia Kerr 14(23).

Out! Tejal Hasabnis departs and India Women would not be liking this. Tejal Hasabnis goes for a big hit and falls. It's a tossed up leggie outside off, turns to get out of the reach of Tejal and Isabella Gaze makes no mistake. Tejal Hasabnis st Isabella Gaze b Amelia Kerr 42(64).

The Jemimah Rodrigues-Tejal Hasabnis partnership was broken in the 27th over when Jemimah was dismissed lbw by Suzie Bates. Deepti Sharma came in and has looked reliable till now. She also took the aerial route to hit a solid six and made her intent clear to the Kiwi bowlers. 

A strong and steady partnership is now brewing between Jemimah Rodrigues and Tejal Hasabnis. The duo have weathered the initial blows that caused India Women to be four wickets down under 100 and are steadily carrying them towards 200. They will need to make the partnership big. 

Tejal Hasabnis and Jemimah Rodrigues are looking to revive the Indian innings here. New Zealand would ideally want one more wicket at this stage to put more pressure on the Indian batting. 

OUT! India lose another wicket and it is that of the well-set Yastika Bhatia. The left-hander, who was batting well up until this point, played a sweep shot in the air and was caught in the deep. The break might have caused a lapse of concentration and India lose another wicket. Yastika Bhatia c Eden Carson b Amelia Kerr 37(43)