India secured a 59-run victory over New Zealand in the first women's ODI, thanks to a disciplined bowling performance led by Radha Yadav. Yadav's left-arm spin claimed four wickets (4/42), helping dismiss the Kiwis for 168 in pursuit of India's 228. This win gave India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Debutant pacer Saima Thakor made an immediate impact, dismissing Suzie Bates with just her second ball in international cricket. Bates edged an away-swinger, caught by wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia. New Zealand's struggle continued, as they lost three more wickets by the time they reached 79 runs.
One of the most dramatic moments came with the dismissal of captain Sophie Devine, who was run out in an unusual manner—she failed to drag her foot back behind the crease, and Yastika whipped off the bails after Deepti Sharma's return throw. New Zealand briefly raised the vision of a comeback through the fifth-wicket partnership between Brook Halliday (39) and Maddy Green (31) that was worth 49 runs, the highest in their innings. But Thakor returned to dismiss Halliday to break the growing stand, and thereafter the New Zealand innings never recovered.
Before that, India too endured a stifling batting experience of their own as they failed to counter the wily Kerr sisters – Amelia and Jess – as they were bowled out for a slightly under-par 227 after opting to bat first. Leg-spinner Amelia (4/42) and medium pacer Jess (3/49) were at the forefront of the Kiwis' charge with the ba.
