New Delhi. Indian women's cricket team's acting captain Smriti Mandhana is elated with the victory in the first ODI against New Zealand. Mandhana has described the pitch of Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad as heaven for batsmen. He said that his team won after a long time due to excellent bowling and tight fielding. Earlier this month, India's Women's T20 World Cup campaign ended on a disappointing note as the team failed to reach the semi-finals in a 58-run defeat to Sophie Devine-led New Zealand. New Zealand had won the tournament.
However, Devine's team failed to chase the modest target of 228 runs on Thursday and lost to India by 59 runs in the first match of the ODI series. Mandhana said after the match, 'The last one and a half to two months have been difficult, so it feels good to start with a win. If you don't believe in cricket you will not be successful.
'Saima created momentum for us by taking the wicket of Suji'
Harmanpreet was rested for this match due to injury. Indian batsmen also lost wickets at regular intervals and were out for 227 runs in 44.3 overs. Mandhana said, 'There was a discussion among us that we are performing poorly but if we field well then it will be good and can add 20-30 more runs. Saima created momentum for us by taking the wicket of Suji.
'I have been very composed, the team is amazing'
Fast bowler Saima took two wickets for 26 runs on her debut. According to Smriti Mandhana, 'I have been very restrained, the team is amazing. To be honest, it was a flat wicket. It was heaven for the batsmen. But our bowling group performed well and fortunately the result was in our favor.
Tags: India vs new zealand, smriti mandhana, Women cricket
FIRST PUBLISHED : October 24, 2024, 10:34 PM IST
