Twitter Reactions: Clinical India win pick 59-run win over New Zealand to go 1-0 up

In the first ODI of the series, India’s women defeated New Zealand’s by 59 runs at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. Due to the fans’ still-fresh memories of their elimination from the T20 World Cup group stage, the hosts were under a great deal of pressure before the match. There were also concerns regarding Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership, as former captain Mithali Raj stated that she wouldn’t be shocked if BCCI executives chose to choose a new captain.

Harmanpreet was left in place, but she will be crucial for the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup. The first step in preparing for that was the series against New Zealand, when the hosts did well but could still do better. The captain, meantime, was not available for selection for the opening ODI because, according to BCCI officials, she is now dealing with a niggle.

Smriti Mandhana, the senior batter, led the team while she was away, but the 28-year-old won’t be pleased with her performance. She struggled in the T20 World Cup, scoring just five runs against New Zealand. Yastika Bhatia hit 37 runs while Shafali Verma, her batting partner, made 33.

Despite their efforts, none of the middle order was able to convert their starts. Tejal Hasabnis got 42 runs in his debut, while Jemimah Rodrigues scored 35. India scored 227 runs while Deepti Sharma batted at seven, scoring 41. With four wickets and Jess securing three, Amelia Kerr was once again the hero with the ball.

When it came to the chase, the White Ferns found it challenging since they were losing wickets quickly. The game continued to get harder as it went on, and at one point they were down to 46/3. Maddy Green and Brooke Halliday each made 31 and 39.

Also Read: Watch: Sophie Devine’s brain-fade moment leads to costly exit in 1st ODI vs India

The Indian bowlers didn’t give New Zealand any leeway, as newcomer Saima Thakur took as many wickets as Radha Yadav, who required one of them to stay in the game until the very finish.

Here’s how X reacted:

Radha yadav under captain smriti mandhana is different gravy altogether

— s (@_sectumsempra18) October 24, 2024

Very slow ball 62kmph bowled by Radha yadav, good to see her sense for tailener. #RadhaYadav#INDWvNZW

— Stranger 🇮🇳 (@Strangerwork) October 24, 2024

First wickets don’t come much bigger than that

Saima Thakor gets Suzie Bates off her 3rd ball, the most capped player of all time

Was a really good delivery too#INDvNZ

— Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17) October 24, 2024

Radha Yadav quadrupling her ODI wickets tally today

3/35 in 52 balls today

Before this, she had only 1 ODI wicket in 238 balls#INDvNZ

— Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17) October 24, 2024

Radha Yadav quadrupling her ODI wickets tally today

3/35 in 52 balls today

Before this, she had only 1 ODI wicket in 238 balls#INDvNZ

— Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17) October 24, 2024

Good win today, Radha Yadav was superb with her variation with the pace #INDvNZ #INDvsNZ

— Snehasis Mukherjee (@snehasis_95) October 24, 2024

A 59 RUN VICTORY FOR TEAM INDIA AGAINST NEW ZEALAND AT THE NARENDRA MODI STADIUM. 🇮🇳#INDWvsNZW https://t.co/bATAsPBdKt

— chanchal sarkar (@cricxnews140982) October 24, 2024

INDIA WOMAN DEFEATED NEW ZEALAND WOMAN IN FIRST ODI !! #INDWvsNZW pic.twitter.com/OJgIbteNKF

— Vikas Yadav (@VikasYadav66200) October 24, 2024

India defeated NZ by 59 runs in the first odi. Positive start for Smriti on her ODI captaincy debut. #INDWvsNZW

— Ranjith (@iam_rrt) October 24, 2024

NZ women being made to come to India to play a meaningless T20 Series within 96 hrs of winning WC is as bizarre as Aus playinh a meaningless T20 series in less than 96 hours of winning an euphoric ODI WC against India in front of 100 K people in 2023.
(1/3)@ABsay_ek#INDWvsNZW

— Ambika (@apmahapatra) October 24, 2024