Cricket News: India women register easy victory against New Zealand

The Indian women's team put in a perfect performance to beat New Zealand by 9 wickets in the first ODI in Napier to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Smrithi Mandhana proved why she was chosen ICC player of the year 2018 and ICC ODI player for the year as she helped India beat New Zealand comfortably scoring a century. Smrithi was supported well by another talented young player Jemimah Rodrigues who remained unbeaten and helped her team cross the line with an unbeaten 81-run knock. After winning the toss, Indian skipper Mithali Raj elected to field and the bowlers proved her decision correct as they bundled out the White Ferns in 48.4 overs with 192 runs on board. Ekta Bisht and Poonam Yadav took 3 wickets each while Deepti Sharma bagged two and Shikha Pandey managed one wicket. Later, Centurion Smriti Mandhana and Jemima Rodrigues steered India to victory with a 190 run opening stand.