Tahuhu stars with bat and ball as New Zealand quell India in only T20I
Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates set the tone with a strong opening stand, while the bowlers never allowed India to get into the chase
New Zealand women 155 for 5 (Bates 36, Devine 31, Tahuhu 27, Green 26, Vastrakar 2-16, Deepti 2-26) beat India women 137 for 8 (Meghana 37, Bhatia 26, Amelia 2-25) by 18 runs
India’s four-pronged spin attack then pulled things back with tight bowling. However, Lahuhu’s surprise promotion to No. 5 ahead of Brooke Halliday and Maddy Green worked in favour for New Zealand, as her boundary spree lifted the side. Martin and Green, the latter scoring a quick 26, also biffed a couple of boundaries in the last few overs to take the score past 150.
Had it not been for Meghana, India would have ended with a lesser total. In her first international game in six years, Meghana looked at home, notching up 37 runs off 30 balls. The knock included some eye-pleasing lofted cover drives. However, with no support from the other end and with the New Zealand bowlers chipping in regularly, the visiting side failed to get past the finish line.
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who had scored a total of 121 runs in six matches in 2021, was bowled for a 13-ball 12 when she missed an inswinger that hit the stumps, from pacer Jess Kerr. Hayley Jensen’s double strike in the 19th over meant India ended with 137 for 8.
The two teams now head into a five-match ODI series in the lead-up to the Women’s World Cup, beginning next month.
Srinidhi Ramanujam is a sub-editor with ESPNcricinfo
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