Rohit's streak ends, Muralitharan prefers Ashwin to Lyon and more - Cricket News Today, 10th February 2019

Mandhana's blazing knock ends in vain as NZ women snatch thriller

Smriti Mandhana's scintillating 86 was not enough to push India women to the target

After missing the first two T20Is of the series, Mithali Raj returned to the playing eleven as India women fought for pride in the final match against New Zealand women at Hamilton. However, the veteran's comeback ended in disappointment as the White Ferns upstaged her to snatch a last-ball thriller.

Needing four off the last ball, Mithali could only score a single and India women ended up losing the T20I series 0-3. However, Smriti Mandhana continued to impress against a varied Kiwi bowling attack. The 22-year-old left-hander smashed 86 from 62 balls before getting dismissed in the 16th over.

For her 52-ball 72 and crucial spell of 2/21, all-rounder Sophie Devine was named Player of the Match.

Brief Scores: New Zealand women - 161/7 in 20 overs (Sophie Devine 72, Amy Satterthwaite 31, Deepti Sharma 2/28) beat India women - 159/4 in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 86, Sophie Devine 2/21, Amelie Kerr 1/26) by two runs