Saima Thakor Shines on Debut as India Secures 1-0 Series Lead Against New Zealand
Saima Thakor and Tejal Hasabnis, both debutants, have made significant contributions as India has established a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand.
India put on a strong showing with the ball, winning by 59 runs in Ahmedabad, even though New Zealand’s spin assault limited them to 227 runs.
After a rough start, India’s innings was stabilized by Tejal Hasabnis, a middle-order batsman from Maharashtra, who provided an essential 42 runs off 64 balls. Saima Thakor, renowned for her versatility from her time with UP Warriorz in the WPL 2024, had a significant debut with the ball in the meantime. Her brief stay, which included the vital dismissal of Brooke Halliday, was essential in reducing New Zealand to 168 runs and destroying their batting order.
On Ahmedabad’s batting-friendly ground, New Zealand’s spinners, led by the highly efficient Amelia Kerr, claimed seven of ten Indian wickets. Jess Kerr contributed 3 for 49, and Amelia, who was named Player of the Tournament at the last T20 World Cup, took 4 for 42. With 125 dot balls in 44.3 overs, New Zealand’s disciplined bowling seemed to be posing a threat to India.
India saw minor but significant partnerships that helped stabilize the innings after a cautious start. Early on, Shafali Verma appeared aggressive, hitting Jess Kerr and the boundary before being sent out for a low score. The pressure on India’s batting order increased when Smriti Mandhana, who was captaining the team in Harmanpreet Kaur’s absence, was removed early.
The pivotal moment occurred when Hasabnis and Jemimah Rodrigues combined for a 61-run partnership, providing India with the much-needed impetus. Hasabnis stood out for her astute play against the spin attack, especially her back-foot shot that cut Amelia’s legspin past backward point. Then, with a rapid 41 from Deepti Sharma, India reached a manageable 227.
With Georgia Plimmer taking advantage of India’s initial errors, New Zealand’s pursuit got off to a great start. Plimmer’s aggressive strategy against Thakor and Renuka Singh resulted in a burst of boundaries, but Deepti Sharma’s experience helped to disrupt New Zealand’s momentum by forcing a return catch and dismissing Plimmer.
In an unexpected dismissal, Deepti’s quick toss to wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia caught New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine off guard and she was run out. With Thakor coming for her second spell to take the crucial wicket of Halliday, this wicket turned the tide in India’s favor. Green then headed back to the pavilion after taking a direct shot from Mandhana, putting New Zealand in a vulnerable situation.
India continuously hit, dismissing New Zealand for 168 and winning by 59 runs thanks to Thakor’s 2 for 26 and Radha Yadav’s 3 for 35. India’s bowlers ultimately finished the innings with accuracy, delivering India’s second ODI victory in eight games against New Zealand, despite the fact that Amelia Kerr’s late partnership with Isabella Gaze delayed the conclusion.
With Saima Thakor and Tejal Hasabnis having strong debuts that highlight the depth of India’s bench, India’s triumph in the first game of the series sets a positive tone for the future games. India will want to capitalize on their present form and tactical execution as the series goes on in order to build on this momentum and win the series.
