The Indian women’s cricket team is in trouble after losing to New Zealand in the opening match of the Women’s T20 World Cup. Coming into the Women’s T20 World Cup, New Zealand has lost 10 T20Is in a row. But in the most important moment, they rose to the top level in all categories as they defeated a lethargic India by 58 runs in their Group A match of the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday.
The defeat dashed India’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals. India are in Group A while the other teams are New Zealand, Pakistan, Asian champions Sri Lanka and defending T20 World Cup champions Australia. Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the final four stages. India’s run rate, which inflicted huge losses on New Zealand, is just -2.900.
For India to advance to the semi-finals, they need to beat Pakistan (Sunday) and Sri Lanka (October 9) by a wide margin to not only get four points but also improve their scoring performance. India’s last group match is against six-time champions Australia and beating them would be a huge achievement for the team. If India loses to Australia, they have to hope that New Zealand loses at least two of their remaining matches. Then the equation will come down to better execution speed.
Rosemary Mayer’s four-wicket haul helped New Zealand secure a stunning 58-run win over India in the opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Dubai on Friday. In a chase of 161 runs, the Indian batsmen had no answer to the White Ferns’ bowling and no batsman managed to get past 20 runs.
In the 161-run run chase, India got off to a poor start as they lost Shafali Varma (2) and Smriti Mandhana (12 off 13 balls, including two fours) to Eden Carson. The Women in Blue were reduced to 28/2 in 4.4 overs.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, looking to solve India’s No. 3 position dilemma with a good knock, was trapped for 13 (14) off 11 wickets by Rosemary Mair. India lost three of their most important batsmen for 42 runs before the powerplay.
At the end of the six-over powerplay, India were 43/3 with Richa Ghosh (1*) and Jemimah Rodrigues (6*) unbeaten.
India crossed the 50-run mark in 7.4 overs.
India could not advance as they failed to form a big partnership with Lea Tahuhu quickly removing Rodriguez (13) and Richa Ghosh (12 off 19). India were staggering at 70/5 in 11 overs.
India’s downfall continued as Arundhati Reddy caught Suzie Bates at extra cover for one to give Mair her second wicket. The Women in Blue were 75/6 in 12.2 overs.
Lea got Deepti for 13 runs for the third wicket and Amelia Kerr cleaned up Pooja Vastrakar for just eight runs. India slumped to 90/8 in 15.3 overs.
Mair secured the rest of the batting line-up as well, tying India to 102 in 19 overs.
Mair (4/19) was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers. Tahuhu (3/15) also delivered a good spell for the White Ferns. Carson also took two wickets.
Skipper Sophie Devine’s superb half-century performance took New Zealand to a competitive score of 160/4 in their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign opener against India in Dubai on Friday.
New Zealand’s openers Georgia Plimmer and Suzie Bates got off to a good start after opting to bat first, with the latter’s smashing pacer Pooja Vastrakar taking two in the first innings. India’s poor show in powerplay bowling continued in the powerplay with Deepti Sharma (3 overs) and Arundhati Reddy (6 overs) conceding 16 and 12 runs respectively, while Plimmer was the striker with three boundaries and a six. .
NZ reached 50 runs in just 5.4 overs.
From six powerplays NZ were 55/0, with Plimmer (30*) and Bates (19*) unbeaten.
Includes ANI input
Topics mentioned in this article
