Bengaluru: Having already lost the three-match T20 series, the Indian women’s cricket team came out with a much improved performance on Wednesday as they claimed a three-wicket win over New Zealand in the third and final match.
Chasing a modest target of 127, the Indian eves lost seven wickets and finally achieved the target with six balls to spare. The visitors clinched the three-match series 2-1.
Put in to bat first, New Zealand got off to a flying start as the top order came hard at the hosts. However, they collapsed from 59-1 in the sixth over to 126-8. Suzie Bates hit 34 off 27 deliveries while Rachel Priest (14) and Sophie Devine (18) clobbered a few quick boundaries.
Left-arm orthodox spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad was the pick of the Indian bowlers with figures of 3/17, while Poonam Yadav and Ekta Bisht shared four wickets between themselves.
For India, Veda Krishnamurthy (34), Vellaswamy Vanitha (28) and Anuja Patil (22) provided significant contributions to reach the target with an over to spare.
Devine (2/13), Leigh Kasperek (2/20) and Broadmore (2/25) claimed two wickets apiece for the visitors.
