Christchurch (NZ), Feb 24: India avoided a series whitewash by registering a six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the fifth and final ODI in Queenstown on Thursday. Smriti Mandhana was adjudged Player of the Match. New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr was awarded Player of the Series. Chasing 252, Mandhana (71 from 84 deliveries) and Harmanpreet Kaur (63 from 66) helped pace India’s run chase.
Skipper Mithali Raj (54* from 66) provided the finishing touches, as the visitors successfully chased down a total with four overs remaining. Mandhana got on top of the New Zealand bowlers early in reply, putting the loss of fellow opener Shafali Verma (9) behind her to ensure India stayed well inside the required run rate. Mandhana’s dismissal in the 29th over provided New Zealand a glimmer of hope, but Kaur steadied the ship with an excellent knock that put the victory target within sight.
When Kaur fell to Hannah Rowe in the 43rd over, Mithali ensured the visitors cruised home to avoid a series whitewash. For New Zealand, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Amelia Kerr and Rowe scalped one wicket each. New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine (34) and in-form batter Amelia (66) earlier scored with ease though India’s spinners helped put the clamps on the hosts during the middle overs. Rajeshwari Gayakwad (2/61), Deepti Sharma (2/42) and Sneh Rana (2/40) picking up six wickets between them to restrict the home side at 251 in their final over.
