Match Center

The stage is set for an electrifying finale at the grand Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad with both India and New Zealand women having traded punches in this compelling ODI series. After India's clinical display in the opener, Sophie Devine's White Ferns showed remarkable resilience to level the series, setting up this mouth-watering decider. The conditions in Ahmedabad have been a stern test of both teams' mettle, with the mercury soaring and humidity pushing players to their absolute limits. Yet, the quality of cricket has remained uncompromised. As we approach this winner-takes-all clash, New Zealand will be eyeing for a pricy series win on foreign soil which will also help them to get a huge boost in the Women's Championship for the next year's World Cup. India would be keen to prevent embarrassment. Even without the services of injured Melie Kerr who has flown back home, the Kiwis stood out strong. Their experienced campaigners have risen magnificently to the challenge, none more so than skipper Sophie Devine, who turned in a match-winning performance in the second ODI. Her commanding 79 with the bat followed by a clinical three-wicket haul exemplified her all-round prowess and earned her a well-deserved Player of the Match accolade. The veteran Suzie Bates has been a cornerstone at the top of the order, providing the stability and momentum that New Zealand's innings have been built upon. Particularly impressive has been the maturity shown by young Georgia Plimmer, who has embraced her role as an opener with remarkable composure, forming a reliable partnership with Bates and showing she belongs at this level. The White Ferns' batting depth has been further enhanced by Maddy Green's timely displays of skill, but it's in the bowling department where they've found an exciting new star. Eden Carson has been nothing short of a revelation, emerging as the talk of the series with her masterful spin bowling. The pace duo of Jess Kerr and Lea Tahuhu have provided excellent support, maintaining pressure and picking up wickets regularly. However, there's room for improvement in New Zealand's middle-order dynamics. While the top order has shouldered much of the batting responsibility with distinction, the team management might be considering ways to extract more consistent contributions from their middle-order batters. Despite the series being evenly poised, India finds themselves grappling with crucial concerns, none more pressing than their faltering opening partnership. The most glaring issue has been the unexpected dip in form of their talismanic opener Smriti Mandhana. With meagre returns of 5 and 0 in the series thus far, her struggles have denied India the flying starts they typically bank on, consequently heaping additional pressure on the middle order to make up for these early setbacks. The batting concerns extend beyond Mandhana, with Shafali Verma also struggling to make her customary impact. However, India's middle and lower-middle order has shown admirable resilience in compensating. Tejal Hasabnis has been a revelation, emerging as India's leading run-scorer in the series after her stellar performance in the opening match. Deepti Sharma has once again demonstrated her invaluable all-round capabilities, continuing to be the team's backbone in crucial situations. But perhaps the most surprising and inspiring performance has come from Radha Yadav, who has exhibited extraordinary fighting spirit across all facets of the game. Another revelation has been Saima Thakor with the ball. India just might have got another frontline pacer in the form of her in the absence of Pooja Vastrakar. All in all, both sides have some positives, but have their work cut out for them as well. So, who do you think will win this series decider?