New Zealand’s Powerful Start with the Bat
After opting to bat first, New Zealand’s opening duo Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer launched an attack on the Indian bowlers. Captain Sophie Devine capitalized on the strong foundation, smashing a quickfire 57 off 36 balls. Her performance, supported by cameos from Amelia Kerr and Brooke Halliday, helped New Zealand post a competitive total of 161. Despite the pitch offering occasional assistance to the bowlers, Devine’s innings helped propel the Kiwis to a score 10 runs above what they believed to be par.
India’s Batting Collapse
In response, India crumbled under the pressure of New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack. Rosemary Mair’s swing bowling, Eden Carson’s spin, and Lea Tahuhu’s hard lengths proved too much for the Indian batters, who struggled to build partnerships. India’s chase faltered right from the start, with regular wickets falling, leaving them unable to reach 100 before their innings ended in a dismal 103. The defeat not only dented India’s chances but also their Net Run Rate (NRR), making their path in this tough group significantly harder.
Captain Reactions
Sophie Devine, New Zealand Captain
Devine expressed immense pride in her team’s performance, particularly the aggressive powerplay that put India on the backfoot. She highlighted that New Zealand had been targeting this game for a long time and credited her team’s thorough preparation for the win. “We’ve worked incredibly hard over the last 6 months,” Devine said. She also took inspiration from the Black Caps’ recent performances, emphasizing the importance of starting strong and maintaining pressure throughout the game.
Harmanpreet Kaur, India Captain
India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur admitted her team was outplayed but remained hopeful of a comeback. She acknowledged the mistakes made in the match and emphasized the need to learn quickly as every game is crucial now. “This is such a high stage where you can’t make these mistakes,” she said. Kaur also mentioned that chasing 160-170 was not out of reach, but on this pitch, New Zealand’s score proved too much to handle.
Statistical Highlight
- Sophie Devine became the first New Zealand batter to score 50-plus from No.4 or lower in a Women’s T20 World Cup match, surpassing Frances Mackay’s 49 against South Africa in 2012.
New Zealand’s stunning win over India has reshaped the dynamics of the tournament, and India will need to bring their A-game to recover from this early setback.
