Star India batter Smriti Mandhana said it was important from the team’s perspective that Harmanpreet Kaur found form ahead of the Women’s World Cup and the struggling bowling unit need to build on the performance it produced in the fifth ODI against New Zealand here on Thursday.
The Indian bowlers, who under-performed prior to the game, finally got their act together to limit New Zealand to 251 for nine in 50 overs. India chased down the target in 46 overs courtesy Harmanpreet’s 63 off 66 balls and Mandhana’s 71 off 84 balls. Skipper Mithali Raj remained unbeaten on 57 off 66 balls. Having lost the one off T20 and first four ODIs, India badly needed a win to gain some momentum going into the ODI World Cup next month.
Harmanpreet Kaur during her 63 against NZ on Thursday. Pic/BCCI
The bowling proved to be the weakest link in the series. India lost 1-4 with the visitors unable to defend even 270. On Thursday, it was another impressive batting performance. “We needed a good base to chase 250 and that is what we’re looking for. Batting first, we are getting good scores around 250. Of course we are not getting the wins. It is something we are working on, defending totals,” said Mandhana in the post match press conference.
Talking about Harmanpreet’s return to form, Mandhana said: “It was really important for the team. It was good to see her playing all those shots she was playing. “I was just happy to watch that from the other end. For the team going into the World Cup, it was really important that both of us score and get confidence with all other batters,” she said.
Brief scores
NZ 251-9 in 50 overs (A Kerr 66, S Devine 34; S Rana 2-40, D Sharma 2-42, R Gayakwad 2-61) lost to India 252-4 in 46 overs (S Mandhana 71, H Kaur 63, M Raj 54*) by 6 wickets
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