After losing the first T20I, it was a must-win game for India as they took on the White Ferns today. India did make a few changes to their line-up still there was no sign of Mithali Raj.
The visitors once again opened with Priya Punia and Smriti Mandhana after being put on to bat first. India struggled right from ball one. After dropping a tough chance from Smriti’s bat, The White Ferns managed to remove Priya Punia early in the innings once again. Jemimah Rodrigues joined Smriti and once again added another fifty plus partnership. Unfortunately, Smriti had to go for 36. Jemimah tried to continue and scored her fifth T20I fifty. She was dismissed by Amelia Kerr after giving away three fours in three deliveries. India finished with 135/6 on the board. The pick of the bowlers was undoubtedly Rosemary Mair who not only picked up two wickets but also was economical.
With no Hemalatha in the field as she got injured and had to retire on field while batting, India opened their bowling with Deepti Sharma and Mansi Joshi followed by Radha Yadav who picked up the important wicket of Sophie Devine. With Suzie Bates going firmly from one end, captain Amy had all the time to build an important partnership with her. The pair added yet another fifty. Amy managed 23 and Suzie Bates 62.
At one point, the team was cruising needing only 18 runs from 16 deliveries but the visitors replied back by picking three wickets in 13 balls and with an excellent 19th over from Deepti, New Zealand needed nine runs from the last over.
Kasperek followed Martin’s instructions right, demolished Joshi’s first ball to the boundary. Though she got out the next ball, some sloppiness in the field gave away the match to the home side.
New Zealand now takes a 2-0 lead.
Former Australian Cricketer Dean Jones passes away