Following a commanding victory in the first ODI, Harmanpreet Kaur’s team took to the field again, this time bowling first at the request of New Zealand captain Sophie Devine.
Openers Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer began strongly, guiding the White Ferns to 46/0 in the first 10 overs.
As the pitch showed signs of spin, Deepti Sharma was brought back into the attack in the 16th over and quickly broke the visitors’ opening partnership with an outstanding catch from Radha Yadav.
On the third delivery of the 16th over, Sharma bowled a fuller, tossed-up delivery outside off stump. Plimmer attempted to flick it to the on-side but mistimed her shot, sending the ball off the thick inside edge towards mid-wicket.
Radha Yadav, positioned nearby, sprinted from short mid-wicket and executed a remarkable two-handed catch, diving just in time to claim the catch that looked destined to hit the ground.
Catch it like Radha Yadav 😎
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) October 27, 2024
What a grab to get the opening wicket!
Georgia Plimmer departs as Deepti Sharma strikes ⚡️
Live – https://t.co/2sqq9BtvjZ#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @Radhay_21 | @Deepti_Sharma06 pic.twitter.com/DCIcUr0Yqj
After her spectacular effort, Yadav celebrated on the ground as her teammates joined her, marking a crucial breakthrough that energized the Indian fielding side.