The Indian cricket team defeated New Zealand by four wickets in its second Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 warm-up at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground in Bengaluru on Saturday.
Rain interruptions reduced the contest to 42 overs a side after New Zealand opted to bat first.
White Ferns skipper Sophie Devine top-scored for New Zealand with a run-a-ball 54 while Shree Charani, with figures of 3/49 in nine overs, was the top wicket-taker for the Indian women’s cricket team. New Zealand reached 232/8 in 42 overs.
As New Zealand’s innings was interrupted by rain, India were given a revised target of 237 in 42 overs. Harleen Deol (74 off 79) and Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur (69 off 86) led India’s response as the hosts chased down the target in 40.2 overs and four wickets to spare.
India were beaten by England by 153 runs in their first warm-up fixture at the same venue on Thursday.
The hosts rested their regular opener Smriti Mandhana for the New Zealand tie, allowing Pratika Rawal (15) and wicket-keeper batter Uma Chetry (38) to open the innings.
The Indians put on a 54-run partnership at the top before Pratika Rawal walked back at the start of the ninth over. Uma was also dismissed in the next over.
Harleen Deol and Harmanpreet Kaur then stitched a 132-run stand in good time to take India closer to the target. With just 34 needed to win, Harleen Deol retired out to give other batters some time in the middle.
India lost three more wickets, including Harmanpreet Kaur, but crossed the finish line with 10 balls to spare. Bree Illing, with figures of 2/34 in nine overs, was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand.
Earlier in the day, Kranti Goud provided India with early inroads by dismissing New Zealand openers Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer inside eight overs.
Amelia Kerr (40), Sophie Devine (54) and an unbeaten 49 off 42 balls from Maddy Green led New Zealand’s comeback.
This was India’s last warm-up match before the main tournament kicks off Tuesday with co-hosts India and Sri Lanka facing off at Assam Cricket Association Stadium in Guwahati.
IND-W vs NZ-W, Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 warm-up match brief scores: New Zealand 232/8 in 42 overs (Sophie Devine 54, Shree Charani 3/49) lost to India 237/6 in 40.2 overs (Harleen Deol 74, Bree Illing 2/34) by four wickets.