Radha Yadav's impressive all-round performance couldn't prevent India from suffering a 76-run defeat to New Zealand in the second ODI. Despite Radha Yadav's crucial contributions with both bat and ball, India's batting lineup faltered.
New Zealand level series with thumping win over India in 2nd ODI
India's top order collapsed early, with the top three batters dismissed cheaply. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur's brief resistance was not enough to stabilize the innings. The team struggled to build partnerships and lost wickets regularly, ultimately falling short of the target.
The match saw a remarkable fightback from the lower-order batters, Radha Yadav and Saima Thakor. The pair forged a substantial 70-run partnership for the ninth wicket, marking the third-highest stand for this wicket in cricket history. Currently, the record for the highest stand at this position is 77 runs, held by Ash Gardner and Kim Garth, while Isa Guha and Lynsey Askew's partnership of 73 runs occupies the second spot.
Radha Yadav's superlative all-round show in vain
Radha Yadav emerged as the standout player for India. Not only did she claim four wickets, consistently troubling the New Zealand batters, but she also showcased her skills in the field by taking three catches—two of which were particularly spectacular. Her all-round performance was instrumental in the team's efforts.
After choosing to bat first, the newly-crowned T20 World Champions posted a total of 259, recovering well from a precarious position of 139/4 after 31.3 overs. The Indian spinners played a crucial role, taking three of the first four wickets, with one wicket resulting from a run-out. However, captain Sophie Devine steadied the innings for the White Ferns. Coming in at No. 4, she maintained her composure and kept the scoring flowing, finishing with 79 runs off 86 balls, including seven fours and a six. Maddy Green also contributed significantly towards the end of the innings, adding 42 runs to boost the total.
With this victory, New Zealand has leveled the series 1-1. The decisive third ODI will be played on October 29th. The winner of this match will clinch the series.
