Skipper Mithali Raj’s well-crafted half-century went in vain as India lost the first One-Day International against New Zealand by 62 runs in Queenstown on Saturday.
Opting to bowl, New Zealand rode on a splendid Suzie Bates century (106 off 111 balls) to score a challenging 275 and India were all-out for 213 in 49.4 overs.
New Zealand vs India, 1st ODI as it happened: Mithali’s knock in vain as White Ferns win by 62 runs
India in their last ODI recorded their highest-ever run chase of 265 set by Australia in September last year, a win that had ended their rivals’ 26-match winning streak.
The 39-year-old Mithali, playing her 221st ODI, continued her impressive form in the format – she has scored seven fifties in the last 11 innings in ODIs – to keep India in the hunt with a 73-ball 59 (6x4).
Mithali also joined Charlotte Edwards in making 1,000 runs against four different teams – Australia, England, Sri Lanka and New Zealand – in ODI cricket.
She also became the first Indian to reach 1,000 women’s ODI runs against New Zealand.
India had earlier lost the one-off T20I by 18 runs in their series opener on February 9. The second ODI of the five-match series will be played at the same venue on Tuesday.
Inputs from PTI
You’ve read Scroll.
Now help sustain it
Scroll is funded by readers, not corporate owners. If you believe our work matters, support our newsroom. Become a member today!
We’re not driven by clicks or corporate interests – just honest, independent reporting. Keep us going. Support Scroll today!