After controversy Mithali Raj and Smriti Mandhana helps India win their first ODI series overseas

Indian skipper Mithali Raj and opener Smriti Mandhana helped India win their second ODI against New Zealand at Bay Oval. The left-handed opener scored a century in the series opener and remained unbeaten at 92 to help India thrash the hosts by eight wickets.

Mithali Raj also played an amazing knock of 63 and stitched an unbeaten 151 run partnership with partner Smriti Mandhana. India chased down the target of 162 in just 36.2 overs after the Kiwis were bundled out for 161.

India lost two early wickets in Jemimah Rodrigues (0) and Deepti Sharma (8) but Mandhana and Mithali saved the ship by taking the team to the finishing lines. Mandhana was awarded the player of the match trophy but she felt that her bowler deserved it more than her.

Indian bowler Jhulan Goswami took three wickets under her name while Ekta Bisht, Deepti Sharma and Poonam Yadav took two wickets each. Shikha Pandey also got a wicket to her name while Hemalatha went wicket less.

With this victory India have sealed the three match series by a 2-0 lead and will play the third and final ODI on February 1 at Seddon Park, Hamilton.