The Indian Women's Cricket team secured a thrilling series victory against New Zealand today, Friday, March 27, 2026, at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. A nail-biting finish saw India edge out the White Ferns by 5 runs in the final ODI, taking the series 3-2. This victory is a significant boost for the team as they prepare for the upcoming Women's Cricket World Cup. The atmosphere at Eden Gardens was electric, with a packed stadium cheering every run and wicket.

India won the toss and elected to bat first. The opening partnership of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma got India off to a flying start, putting on 75 runs in the first 10 overs. Verma, in particular, was aggressive, scoring 45 off just 30 balls with 7 boundaries and a six. Mandhana continued her fine form, anchoring the innings with a well-compiled 82. However, the middle order faltered slightly, with wickets falling at regular intervals, slowing down the scoring rate considerably. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur steadied the ship with a crucial 60, ensuring India reached a competitive total of 265/8 in their 50 overs.

Key Partnerships and Bowling Performances

The 75-run opening stand between Mandhana and Verma was pivotal, providing the platform for a strong total. Later, Kaur's partnership of 55 runs with Pooja Vastrakar helped India regain momentum after the middle-order wobble. For New Zealand, Amelia Kerr was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 wickets for 45 runs. Lea Tahuhu also bowled well, claiming 2 crucial wickets.

New Zealand's chase started poorly, losing their opener Suzie Bates early. However, Amelia Kerr and Sophie Devine forged a strong partnership, adding 120 runs for the second wicket. Kerr continued her impressive all-round performance, scoring a brilliant century. Devine provided solid support with a well-made 70. Just when it seemed New Zealand were cruising to victory, the Indian bowlers struck back. Rajeshwari Gayakwad broke the partnership, dismissing Devine, and that opened the floodgates.

Turning Points in the Match

The dismissal of Sophie Devine proved to be the turning point. India's bowlers managed to apply pressure, taking wickets at regular intervals. The penultimate over, bowled by Jhulan Goswami, was crucial. She conceded only 4 runs and picked up the wicket of Maddy Green, leaving New Zealand needing 12 runs off the final over. Deepti Sharma held her nerve in the final over, conceding only 6 runs and securing a memorable victory for India. Reportersays, the crowd erupted as India sealed the win!

Speaking after the match, Captain Harmanpreet Kaur said, "It was a fantastic team effort. Smriti and Shafali gave us a great start, and then the bowlers did an excellent job in the end. We knew if we kept taking wickets, we could put pressure on New Zealand. This series win gives us a lot of confidence heading into the World Cup."

Amelia Kerr, despite being on the losing side, was awarded the Player of the Match for her outstanding century and three wickets. "It's disappointing to lose, but I'm happy with my personal performance," Kerr said. "India played really well, and they deserved to win."

India Women's Cricket: Looking Ahead

This series win is a significant achievement for the Indian Women's Cricket team. It demonstrates their strength and depth as they prepare for the upcoming Women's Cricket World Cup. The team will be looking to build on this success and make a strong challenge for the title. The next assignment for the Indian team is a T20 series against South Africa, starting next week.