New Delhi: It was far from an ideal start for India as they suffered a comprehensive drubbing at the hand of New Zealand in their Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 opener in Dubai on Friday. India were thoroughly outclassed by a spirited New Zealand as the Kiwis brought an end to their 10-match losing streak in style. From their bowlers getting carted to all parts of the ground to the batters failing to live up to the expectations, it was a day to forget for India.
The crushing 58-run defeat against New Zealand exposed several fragilities in India’s line-up and game plan that they will have to address as they aim to regroup and bounce back in a marquee clash against arch-rivals Pakistan. On any other day, India would have entered the clash as absolute favourites but Pakistan’s fabulous win against Asian champions Sri Lanka has added much-needed context to the high-pressure contest.
India were outclassed in all three departments by New Zealand as Harmanpreet & Co.’s poor bowling, sloppy fielding and hapless batting ended up costing them a winning start to the tournament. India have a lot of gaping holes to plug and several areas to improve right from their fielding to batting as they aim to return to winning ways and post their first points on the table against a high-flying Pakistan.
3 things India need to improve to bounce back against Pakistan:
1) Top order needs to fire
India’s top-order was a no-show during the tricky 161-run chase against New Zealand in Dubai. The likes of Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana were expected to take a leaf out of New Zealand’s batting and provide the team with a cracking start while batting with intent. However, that wasn’t the case as both openers failed to deliver. Shafali fell cheaply on 2 before Mandhana was dismissed on 12 off 13 balls.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was promoted to bat at no.3 but the move didn’t pay off as she too perished after managing 15 off 14 balls. The poor start meant India never quite managed to gain the momentum and the tempo in the run-chase and eventually succumbed under pressure. The top-order will have to take more responsibility and ensure they shoulder the majority of the run-scoring responsibilities against Pakistan on Sunday.
2) Bowlers need to deliver
New Zealand batters made a mockery of the Indian bowling attack in Dubai with veteran Sophie Devine leading the charge en route to her terrific knock of unbeaten 57 off 36 balls laced with 7 fours. Barring, Renuka Singh and Asha Sobhana, who were economical with the ball and shared three wickets between them, none of the Indian bowlers managed to trouble the Kiwi batters.
Despite possessing one of the best spin attacks in the tournament with the likes of Shreyanka Patil, Asha and Deepti Sharma in their ranks, India failed to make the most of the conditions in Dubai and allowed the New Zealand batters to dictate the proceedings during their innings. Indian bowlers will have to step up against Pakistan and ensure the mistakes are not repeated to give the Women in Blue their first win.
3) Approach and attitude are the key
India’s lacklustre approach and lack of game plan were quite evident during their bowling and batting against New Zealand. While skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was often timid with her bowling changes and fielding setups, Indian batters failed to switch gears and take the attack to the Kiwis during their 161-run chase in Dubai.
A change in approach and attitude will be the key for India as they look to continue their dominant run against Pakistan in T20Is. India have lost only thrice in 15 meetings against their arch-rivals in the shortest format and will be hoping to add another win to their kitty on Sunday. However, it won’t be an easy job for the Women in Blue against a confident Pakistan side, who would be bouyant after beating Sri Lanka.
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India’s shambolic defeat against New Zealand in their Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 opener left exposed several issues which Harmanpreet Kaur & Co. will look to fix as they aim to bounce back to winning ways against Pakistan. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
