The White Ferns have been outplayed in their opening one-day international match against India, losing by nine wickets at McLean Park, Napier on Thursday.
After losing the toss, the White Ferns failed to put up a challenging total on the board as India bowled the hosts out for 192.
India then comfortably chased down the total required with 17 overs to spare to hand them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
New Zealand got off to a promising start with the bat as Suzie Bates - who top scored with 36 - and Sophie Devine, 28, put on 61 for the opening partnership.
A run-out from Deepti Sharma which saw Devine depart changed the complexion of the game. From there on wickets fell at regular intervals with spinners Ekta Bish with 3/32, Deepti Sharma 2/27 and Poonam Yadav 3/42 taking eight of the 10 wickets.
Skipper Amy Sattherwaite (31) and Amelia Kerr (28) tried their best to stabilise the innings, but their efforts went in vain, and New Zealand were all out in the 49th over.
India's opening pair Smriti Mandhana (105) and Jemimah Rodrigues (81*) were outstanding as they put on a 190-run opening partnership for the first wicket - the fourth highest women's ODI opening stand.
Mandhana reached her ton in 101 balls with nine fours and three sixes.
Kerr eventually got the wicket of Mandhana, but it was too little, too late as India knocked off their target in just 33 overs.
Sattherwaite said her sides need to improve quickly if they want to win the second ODI match at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Tuesday.
"If we sit back they will keep on top of us...it is a bit of a mental challenge, but we need to back ourselves to be able to step up," she said.
"We can't just rely on Suzie, Sophie and myself [but] the whole batting order. We've got some quality people there who can score runs...but we have just got to believe that we can do it."
Newshub.
