NZW vs INDW: The Blackcaps thrash India by 52 runs, Raj fought a lone battle

India women lost their five-match ODI series of NZW vs INDW on Saturday, notwithstanding skipper Mithali Raj's exquisite half-century. They received the defeat to the White Ferns by 62 runs.

New Zealand knocked India out for 213 in 49.4 overs, with Jess Kerr taking 4/35 in 9.4 overs. The visiting team's leader Mithali Raj (59 off 73 balls) and Yastika Bhatia (41 off 63) demonstrated some efforts. However, the hosts regained control of the game and started the ODI series on a brighter note.

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The Captain's lone fight in the NZW vs INDW battle

Mithali, who was playing her 221st ODI, kept India in contention with a 73-ball 59, continuing her dream performance in the format (seven fifties in the previous 11 innings in ODIs) (6x4).

Mithali also equalled Charlotte Edwards in achieving 1,000 runs in one-day international cricket against four separate teams: Australia, England, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand. She also became the first Indian to score 1000 runs in one-day internationals against New Zealand.

In their One-Day International, the Indian women's team surpassed Australia's previous high of 265 set in September of last year. Thus, ending their adversaries' 26-match winning streak. However, this time, even Mithali's well-formed half-century served no purpose as Indian batting faltered with the visitors losing the match.

India also faced the consequences for Harmanpreet Kaur's terrible form, as she had just returned from the Big Bash League. Also, the absence of their star batter Smriti Mandhana harmed India tremendously once again. Particularly in their attempt to break the 275-run mark.

Read also: Will Mithali Raj change her batting position to prepare for the 2022 Women's World Cup?

Earlier, Suzie Bates' 106 off 111 balls and Amy Satterthwaite's 63 off 67 had propelled New Zealand to 275/10 in 48.1 overs.

However, New Zealand not only established an early advantage in the five-match ODI series, but they also maintained their winning spirit as they transitioned to the lengthier format after defeating India by 18 runs in a one-off T20I on February 9.