NZ-W vs IND-W: Smriti Mandhana to miss first ODI due to extended quarantine

Smriti Mandhana will miss the first of the five ODIs against New Zealand due to extended quarantine in the host nation. The 25-year-old is at the MIQ (Managed Isolation and Quarantine) as New Zealand government’s protocols and did not participate in the series-opening one-off T20I on February 9, which India lost by 18 runs.

Also set to miss the opening ODI in Queenstown on February 12 are pacers Meghana Singh and Renuka Singh, who both are alongside Mandhana in MIQ, confirmed Yastika Bhatia after India’s loss in the one-off T20I rubber.

Bhatia was elevated to open the innings alongside Shafali Verma in Mandhana’s absence but she could deliver a performance of note, scoring a run-a-ball 26 in a 41-run stand alongside Verma before perishing to Amelia Kerr.

India were set 156 after putting in New Zealand, who noted crucial thirties from openers Suzie Bates (36 off 34) and skipper Sophie Devine (31 off 23) before some late-striking by Lea Tahuhu pushed their total past 150. Tahuhu, who struck a six and four fours in her 14-ball 27 cameo, came back with the ball to claim figures of 1/27 to cap off her Player of the Match show.

Lack of partnerships hurt us: Harmanpreet Kaur

India looked in the contest at places but soon lost the grip with New Zealand managing to chip in with regular strikes, something which skipper Harmanpreet Kaur admitted. “We were in the game when we were bowling but unfortunately the last few overs didn’t go well for us,” she told broadcasters after the match.

“Even in batting we did not have partnerships but we have learnt a lot from this match and hope we will improve ourselves in the upcoming matches. When we are playing in one venue, we can learn a lot. Playing in the same venue will definitely help us,” she added.

“It’s awesome to lift the cup,” an elated Devine said. “It’s been a while since we have won a series. It’s the blueprint of how we want to play T20 cricket. To get over 150 was a great score for us. With the ball to execute clear plans was really good. It’s about changing focus for the ODIs, for me not much changes, really pleased with the performance today, but we know that the real work starts now.

The action now shifts to the 50-over format, with the teams set to play five ODIs between February 12 to 24 – all in Queenstown – in the build-up to the World Cup, scheduled in New Zealand in March.