India opener Smriti Mandhana led the run chase that steered her side to a series-clinching eight-wicket win over New Zealand in the 2nd ODI at the Bay Oval on Tuesday.
Opting to field, India bowlers produced an excellent effort to bowl out the hosts for 161. With a target of 162, India eased towards the victory as Mandhana (90 not out) and Mithali Raj (63 not out) combined to take the team over the line.
Mandhana felt the total of 162 was easy to chase and it is the bowlers that deserve credit for restricting the White Ferns to such a low total.
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“162 was a very easy total to chase. I will be giving this award to all the bowlers in the team. They deserve it for restricting New Zealand to 161 on such a good wicket,” Mandhana said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Brilliant from @BCCIWomen after a stellar bowling effort led by @JhulanG10 @mandhana_smriti and @M_Raj03 finished it in style. 2-0.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) January 29, 2019
Another cracker from @mandhana_smriti. But good to see the old guard of @JhulanG10 and @M_Raj03 winning games for India. And how good was Ekta Bisht (2-14 from 8 overs). The women matching the men in New Zealand.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 29, 2019
The 22-year-old has been in excellent form in recent times and Tuesday’s half century was her eighth in the last 10 ODI innings. She hit 105 in the first match of the ongoing series.
