IND W VS NZ W 2ND ODI

It is now time for the 2nd ODI between India Women and New Zealand Women to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The Women's T20 World Cup might be over but the champions, the White Ferns are back in action straightaway with a three-match ODI series against India Women in India and it seems the Kiwis are having some post-championship blues as they lost the first ODI pretty comprehensively. Both sides are missing a few key names but both teams have enough star power to catch the attention of the fans and a few of them didn't disappoint. Fresh off her Player of the Tournament accolade in the recently concluded Women's T20 World Cup, Melie Kerr picked up four wickets in the first innings and was surprisingly sent to bat way down the order as she remained unbeaten on 25 with her team getting bundled out for 168 runs while chasing a target of 228. Neither side quite showed consistency with the bat but the hosts had more individuals score in the 30s and the 40s which got them to a respectable total. A couple of inexperienced individuals also stood up for India as Tejal Hasabnis made 42 with the bat and Saima Thakor was very impressive with the ball, picking up a couple of wickets as well. As for New Zealand Women, Melie's sister, Jess Kerr was also impressive with the ball picking up 3 wickets that included the scalps of Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma. Speaking of Deepti Sharma, she yet again showed why she is India's top all-rounder as her exploits with both bat and ball were invaluable in India Women taking the lead in the series. Both teams will be looking to tighten the screws up top with the bat as the likes of Smriti Mandhana, Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine all failed but the middle order for both sides presents a much more positive face. The real battle though will be between the Indian spinners and the Kiwi batters as Sharma and Radha Yadav outclassed the visitors last time around. Can the White Ferns channel that winning spirit and level the series? Or will Mandhana and her troops seal a series win? Only time will tell.