Source - X account of ICC
India Stunned by New Zealand in Women’s T20 World Cup Opener
New Zealand 160-4 (Devine 57) beat India 102 (Mair 4-19) by 58 runs
4th Match, ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2024, Dubai
India faced a shocking 58-run defeat against New Zealand in their opening match of the Women’s T20 World Cup, as the Kiwis delivered a commanding all-round performance at the tournament.
After winning the toss and opting to bat first, New Zealand set a challenging total, leaving the Indian batting line-up in disarray.
New Zealand Dominates with the Bat
New Zealand’s innings got off to a strong start with openers Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer building a solid foundation. The pair raced to 67-1 within the first eight overs, putting immense pressure on the Indian bowlers. India managed to break through with Arundhati Reddy and Asha Sobhana dismissing both openers in consecutive overs. However, the momentum stayed with New Zealand as skipper Sophie Devine stepped up with an aggressive knock.
Devine’s unbeaten 57 off 40 balls, which included boundaries at crucial junctures, propelled New Zealand to a formidable total of 160/4 in their 20 overs. The Indian bowlers struggled to contain the runs, and a controversial run-out call against Amelia Kerr added to their woes. Despite the heated on-field discussions led by Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur, the umpires ruled the ball dead, and Kerr survived.
India’s Batting Falters Under Pressure
Chasing 161, India’s batting line-up crumbled under pressure. The top order failed to build partnerships as New Zealand’s bowlers struck at regular intervals. Eden Carson played a pivotal role, dismissing both Indian openers early on. Shafali Verma departed for just 2, and Smriti Mandhana followed soon after, scoring 12.
Harmanpreet Kaur showed some resistance with a few promising shots but fell for 15 after being trapped lbw by Rosemary Mair. Jemimah Rodrigues tried to stabilize the innings, but her cameo of 13 off 11 balls was cut short, leaving India’s middle order with a monumental task.
With the required run rate climbing, Indian batters struggled to keep up. Wickets fell in quick succession, exposing the lower order, and sealing India’s fate in the match well before the final overs. Richa Ghosh (12), Deepti Sharma (13), and Pooja Vastrakar (8) were the only batters who reached double figures in the lower order.
New Zealand’s Bowlers Seal the Victory
New Zealand’s bowlers executed their plans perfectly, with Carson and Mair leading the charge. India’s innings ended at a disappointing 102 in just 18.4 overs, falling short by 58 runs. The Kiwis celebrated a comprehensive victory, setting the tone for their World Cup campaign.
The loss serves as a wake-up call for the Indian team, which will need to regroup and come up with a stronger performance in their upcoming matches to stay in contention in the Women’s T20 World Cup.
