On the back of a gritty bowling performance and Jhulan Goswami’s heroics with the bat, India recorded a 17-run win in the first ODI against New Zealand, held at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Sunday.
Though the home side could manage only 142 batting first, its bowling unit — led by Sneh Rana (three for 26) — restricted New Zealand to 125.
At the innings break, the Kiwis were a happy lot, as apart from Jhulan (57 off 67 balls), the rest of the Indians offered little resistance.
Too cautiousThe small target, however, seemed to lull the New Zealand top-order into submission. The overly cautious batters made no effort to look for runs, taking comfort instead in the manageable asking rate.
The visitors made just six runs off the first six overs; opener Rachel Priest (0 off 19b) completely shut shop. Her partner Suzie Bates (28, 57b) was in better touch, before losing her off-stump to left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad.
Much was expected from Sophie Devine after Suzie’s dismissal, but a tame cut to point ended her stay.
The Indian spinners called the shots throughout the New Zealand innings. Harmanpreet Kaur (two for 16) bowled a clever mix of finger and wrist spin, offie Sneh deceived the batters with flight, while left-arm orthodox Ekta Bisht (two for 18) stuck to the basics.
At no point did the required run-rate reach alarming heights, but the stuttering New Zealand batters just could not get going. Leigh Kasperek (21 n.o.) stuck around, but ran out of partners after Mithali Raj took a diving catch to dismiss Morna Nielson, the No. 11. Leigh — she made her debut for New Zealand in this match, but has played for Scotland before — had a good outing.
She tossed her off-spinners high, and despite a few long hops, picked up three wickets. Morna and Lea Tahuhu recorded three-wicket hauls as well, as the impatient Indian batters fell to poor shot selection.
