Kerr Sisters Shine as New Zealand Bowl India Out for 227

In their first ODI in Ahmedabad, New Zealand's spinners showcased their skills, leading to India’s dismissal for 227 runs in just 44.3 overs. Fresh off their inaugural Women's T20 World Cup victory, the Kerr sisters were pivotal; Amelia Kerr took 4 wickets for 42 runs, while Jess Kerr contributed with 3 for 49. Their combined efforts resulted in seven of the ten Indian wickets falling to spin.

India, missing their regular captain Harmanpreet Kaur, struggled to build substantial partnerships. New captain Smriti Mandhana, leading the team for the first time, fell early after opting to bat. Shafali Verma attempted to inject some momentum into the innings, particularly targeting Jess Kerr with aggressive strokes, including a powerful pull shot. However, her innings was cut short when she fell to Eden Carson's first delivery.

A few partnerships of 20-30 runs emerged, primarily between Yastika Bhatia and Dayalan Hemalatha, who stepped in at No. 4, and later between Bhatia and Jemimah Rodrigues. The turning point came when Rodrigues teamed up with debutant Tejal Hasabnis. This partnership provided much-needed stability to the Indian batting lineup, as they deftly handled the spin attack, rotating the strike and finding gaps in the field.

Hasabnis particularly excelled against the spinners, showcasing her ability to maneuver the ball effectively. As the innings progressed, it became clear that New Zealand's bowlers had the upper hand, ultimately leading to India's total of 227.