New Zealand defeats India 3-0 to take a 3-0 lead.

As India suffered their third ODI loss to New Zealand women on Friday, they now lead the series 0-3 in Queenstown. Mithali Raj’s side lost after scoring 279 against the White Ferns, their best total in one-day internationals.

New Zealand completed their highest-ever successful run-chase in ODIs with 3 wickets to spare, with to fifties from Amelia Kerr (67), Amy Satterthwaite (59), and Lauren Down (64 not out in 52 balls).

New Zealand also made history, as their pursuit on Friday was the second most successful in the history of women’s ODI cricket.

On their tour to New Zealand, India is yet to open its account. After losing a one-off T20I, they have lost three consecutive ODIs. The setback in the third One-Day International will harm India ahead of the World Cup next month, as they did most things well with the bat but had poor fielding and bowling performances.

Due to the absence of top opener Smriti Mandhana for the third ODI, India continued to open with Sabbhineni Meghana and Shafali Verma. The youthful opening pair got off to a flying start, putting on a century stand in only 12 overs to put India on the right track.

Meghana scored her first ODI fifty with a 41-ball 61 that included two sixes and nine boundaries. Shafali made a 57-ball 51, but Meghana was caught in the 13th over by Rosemary Mair, who took the first wicket.

The Indian middle order, which included Yastika Bhatia (19), Mithali Raj (23), and Harmanpreet Kaur (13), however, failed to capitalize on the strong start. India appeared to be on track to reach a 300 score, but a middle-order wobble held them short. Deepti Sharma, an all-rounder, struck an unbeaten 69 off 69 balls to help India achieve a total of 279 runs.

With two unplayable deliveries, India got off to the best possible start with the ball, as veteran bowler Jhulan Goswami, who had been rested for the second ODI, took the key wickets of Sophie Devine (0) and Suzie Bates (5).