Bangalore: Much of India's hopes of making it to the final of the World Series disintegrated on Sunday when it lost a crucial encounter to New Zealand by 53 runs.India, however, put up a much-improved display than its previous match as it made a valiant bid to overhaul the Ferns. Chasing 240 for a win India was on track until it lost its way towards the end as usual there wasn't sufficient backup; this time around for Mithali Raj.Raj in the company of Hemalata Kala put on 82 runs (96 balls - 54 minutes) for the third wicket to keep India's hopes alive but once Mithali departed for a scintillating 82, India's hopes vanished in thin air as the rest failed to carry India through. Mithali had earlier forged 56 runs for the second wicket with Jaya Sharma (15).Once Raj departed (144/3 33.5 overs), things fell apart with wickets tumbling all around. The fall of wickets was as follows: 144/4 (Rumeli, 33.6 overs), 151/5 (Reema, 36.3 overs), 151/6 (Kala, 37.1 overs), 163/7 (Naik, 40.6 overs), 174/8 (David, 43.2 overs), 186/9 (Goswami, 47.2 overs). Note: Goyal was hurt and did not come out to bat.Earlier, it was time for Rolls, Drumm and Maya Lewis to make their mark in the World Series. Rolls started the proceedings in rousing fashion, tonking the ball all around the park. She, in the process, scored the fastest fifty in One-day International when she brought up her eighth half-century in just 30 balls.However, her departure at 82 saw the Ferns lose another at 85 to put a temporary hold on the rampaging run-rate. But captain Drumm and veteran Lewis brought in all their experience to count as they rebuilt the New Zealand innings. Both batsmen posted their half-centuries as the pair added 94 runs for the third wicket.However, from an imposing position of 181/2 at the start of the 36th over, the home team lost its way to be to finish up with 239 for nine in 50 overs.For India Nooshin was once again the top wicket taker with 4 for 38 of 9 overs followed by Hemalata with 3 for 31 off ten.Openers, Jhulan Goswami and Rumeli Dhar came in for special treatment at the hands of Rolls. David too had a forgettable day as she went for 50 off her 10 overs.

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