In a shaky start to the match, India conceded a penalty corner in the fourth minute, and New Zealand made the most of it as they scored through Olivia Shannon to make it 1-0 in their favour. However, India tried to fightback inside the first quarter and were successful in finding the equaliser when Sharmila finished off a crisp team-move to make it 1-1 in the 12th minute.
Both teams had several chances in the second quarter as well, but neither could convert until India finally managed to convert their penalty corner in the 27th minute. It was India's forward Beauty who produced a sublime finish to give her team a much-deserved lead.
New Zealand did have a penalty corner at the stroke of the half-time break, but India's Bichu Devi Kharibam made a decent save to ensure India retained their 2-1 lead. The start of the third quarter was slightly slower for both teams as they tried to implement different strategies.
India's goalkeeper Bichu was called into action again in the 40th minute, but she made a diving save to protect her side's lead. Three minutes later, it was India's chance to break away on the counter which saw Sharmila score her second field goal to extend India's lead to 3-1.
The confidence levels rose within the Indian team after scoring their third goal, and it was visible in the last quarter when they started aggressively. In the 48th minute, India won themselves a penalty corner, and the resulting execution saw Lalrindiki score past New Zealand's goalkeeper Kelly Carline to make it 4-1, and secure the win for her side. New Zealand did try to pose a threat in the remaining minutes, but could not penetrate through the Indian defence which meant the women in blue registered their second win in three matches of the tournament.
The team will play Australia in their fourth and final match of the tournament on Sunday.
( With inputs from IANS )