Indian women produced a clinical performance to crush New Zealand by nine wickets in the fifth and final one day international cricket match and winning the series 3-2.
The win also brought another piece of good news as BCCI announced a cash award of `21 lakh for the team as they fought back valiantly from being 1-2 down to win the series. The final match turned out to be an anti-climax of sorts with New Zealand being shot out for 118 in 41 overs as seven of their batsmen failed to reach double digits.
Suzie Bates top-scored with 42 while left-arm spinner Rajeswari Gayekwad had the best figures of 2/15. Jhulan Goswami with 2/17 was economical as ever while Deepti Sharma took 2 for 22. In reply, India surpassed the target in 27.2 overs with DT Thirushkamini scoring 62 off 78 balls with 13 boundaries.
Brief Scores
New Zealand: 118 (Suzie Bates 42, Rajeshwari Gayekwad 2/15, Jhulan Goswami 2/17) lost to India: 121/1(Thirushkamini 62 no, Deepti Sharma 44 no). India won by 9 wickets. India win the series 3-2.