"When I retire after this tournament, I will see that the squad is far more stronger with the upcoming new talent:" Mithali Raj

India skipper Mithali Raj said that when she hangs up her boots after the upcoming 50-over World Cup, the squad will be far stronger with the new talent.

Smriti Mandhana, Mithali Raj, and Harmanpreet Kaur starred with the bat as India defeated New Zealand by six wickets in the fifth and final ODI here at the John Davies Oval, Queenstown.

"When I retire after this tournament, I will see that the squad is far more stronger with the upcoming new talent."

Mithali Raj said after the fifth ODI against New Zealand

Also Read: NZW vs INDW: Fifties from Mandhana, Mithali Raj, and Kaur saves a whitewash for India

"We have improved over the last few games we have played, that's a good sign before the World Cup. Was important to have the right preparation before the big tournament. Unfortunately, we couldn't get the camps in India due to the rising Omicron cases," Mithali added.

"Something that we need to work more on is our fielding," - Mithali Raj

"The wicket seemed batting friendly, but the bowlers did well today. Something that we need to work more on is our fielding. Thanks to the New Zealand cricket board for giving us this opportunity,"

Mithali Raj said

Chasing 252, India's opening pair of Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana put on 29 runs. But this stand was cut short in the fifth over as Hayley Jensen got Verma on just 9 runs. Deepti Sharma and Smriti Mandhana then got together at the crease. The duo formed a 60-run stand for the second wicket.

Read Also: NZW vs INDW: Richa Ghosh scores the fastest fifty by any Indian Woman in WODIs

However, this partnership was ended by Fran Jonas as she got the wicket of Deepti (21) and this brought Harmanpreet Kaur to the middle. Mandhana and Harmanpreet put on 64 runs. But, as soon as India started to gain full control, Jensen got the wicket of Mandhana (71). India was reduced to 153/3, still, 99 runs away from the target.

Harmanpreet Kaur brought an end to her half-century drought. But with India 27 runs away from the target, Harmanpreet (63) ended up losing her wicket. However, skipper Mithali Raj (57*) and Richa Ghosh (7*) ensured that India registers a comfortable victory and save the whitewash.

Also Read: Richa Ghosh: Youngest Indian wicket-keeper to score fifty in Women's ODI

With this win, India registered their first win of the series. However, the White Ferns took the ODI series 4-1. Previously, India lose the one-off T20I on February 9.

Earlier, Amelia Kerr played a knock of 66 as New Zealand posted 251/9 in the allotted fifty overs. For India, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Deepti Sharma, and Sneh Rana returned with two wickets each.