Why India’s shock loss in Women’s T20 World Cup opener might serve the greater good?

New Delhi: Disappointment at the beginning of a day spoils the entire 24 hours ahead or doesn’t it? While commenting on the same is a tad difficult as it is not necessary that the dusk would also bring you sorrow if dawn hasn’t been that good. Facing a thrashing at the hands of New Zealand in their opening match of the women’s T20 World Cup 2024 wasn’t something that India and the billion cricket fans would have imagined.

While all of us drew a picture of the victorious Indian team in our minds on Friday afternoon, the evening, unfortunately, forced us to rub it off. It wasn’t less than a nightmare for the India eves in their first contest, who entered the showpiece event as one of the favourites. India and the Kiwis have met on four occasions previously at the big ICC event and the record stood equal, till now. While the New Zealand side took two clashes in their pocket in the 2009 and 2010 edition, India equalled it by winning the group matches in the 2018 and the 2020 edition.

India’s all-round failure

Had it been a match from the men’s T20 World Cup or any men’s T20 event, a first innings score of 160 would have been considered moderate. Since, we are not used to seeing many games with a score of over 150 in women’s cricket, we ought to put this in the high-score category. The previous three encounters in the ongoing 2024 World Cup witnessed score of 120 and less, so statistics stand there for the backing.

Allowing the Kiwis go past the 150-run mark was India’s first failure, which happened with the ball, adding to their unwanted record of losing the matches frequently after conceding a score of 150-plus in the first innings. The biggest thing that shook the Indian women’s team was despite being a batting-heavy side, loaded with some classic players, all failed to deliver during the chase. The top 4 and the additional two could not resist in front of the Kiwi bowlers, failing in showcasing their prowess at the most important occasion.

Is there some positive to take out from the disappointing loss or will it bring further misery ahead?

Is the loss for a greater good?

Unlike the previous editions of the marquee event, where India began their campaign with wins and ultimately succumbed under pressure in the crucial knockouts, this edition has proved out to be otherwise. A loss in the tournament opener has given the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side a reality check at first, which should ideally play a pivotal role in regrouping themselves and sit and strategize for the matches ahead.

While the way we think, it’s not necessary that the things will come out in the same manner but a fall at first has been observed to have turned things into positivity and yielded a desired result later. India should learn from this defeat and try to regather their momentum again, coming up with their best in the upcoming games. In the tough Group A, India have to face arch-rivals Pakistan next before they take on Asian champions Sri Lanka and lastly face the most successful side Australia in the last league fixture.

India have a good record against rivals Pakistan and the last meeting between the sides at the Asia Cup 2024 proved out to be in the former’s favour. But Pakistan would be riding high on confidence after notching up a dominant win against Sri Lanka in their tournament opener. It will not be a cakewalk for India in the upcoming ties but they will have to prove their mettle with a better approach and attitude in realising and turning the dreams of a billion Indians into reality by bringing home the elusive World Cup.

Full Coverage of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

 India lost their opening match of Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 to New Zealand by a massive margin. This comes up as big blow for the India eves but could serve the greater good also.  Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today