The White Ferns lost their three-match ODI series 2-1 against India after being defeated by six wickets in the final game in Ahmedabad.
New Zealand set a target of 232, but India chased it down comfortably with 34 balls to spare.
Georgia Plimmer contributed 39 runs for the White Ferns, but the team stumbled early, losing key players Suzie Bates (4), Lauren Down (1), and Sophie Devine (9) within the first 11 overs. Despite the rocky start, Brooke Halliday fought back with a career-best 86 off 96 balls.
India’s opener, Smriti Mandhana, led the chase with a brilliant century off 122 balls. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur supported her with an unbeaten 59. The White Ferns struggled to break India’s partnerships and only took four wickets throughout the match.
This result marked a shift from the first two games of the series, where teams batting first successfully defended their totals. New Zealand lost the opening match by 59 runs but bounced back to win the second by 76 runs.
The White Ferns currently hold sixth place in the ICC Women’s Championship, with India sitting third. The top six teams will secure automatic qualification for the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup.
