IND W VS NZ W T20

That’s it then! The second day of this ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 has flown by. India Women have been humbled in their opener and will have to come back strongly in their next assignment against Pakistan Women. While New Zealand Women, buoyed by this win will enter with a lot of confidence against Australia Women in their next encounter. But before that, this weekend promises an exciting doubleheader! The defending champions, Australia Women, will kick off their title defence against Sri Lanka Women in a Group A clash. That game is set to start on Saturday, 5th October at 10 am GMT. Following that, the in-form England Women will commence their mission to glory and face off against Bangladesh Women in a Group B face-off at 2 pm GMT. Both matches will take place at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Don’t forget to join us an hour early for all the build-up. Until then, cheers and take care!

Sophie Devine, the captain of New Zealand Women says that she is incredibly proud of her side, especially with their recent results, to come out against a class side like India and win in such a way. Adds that they take inspiration from the Black Caps and their success in the big tournaments and it is a great way to start the campaign. Mentions that the Powerplay was key and to pile on runs without losing a wicket in those first 6 overs was crucial and then a couple of cameos at the death helped as well. Mentions that they thought 150 was par and got a few extra runs. Adds that they knew India's ability with the bat and tried to keep the line at the stumps and the bowlers did their job brilliantly. Ends by saying that it is always special to take on Australia and those are the games you dream of playing, against World Champions.

The captain of India Women, Harmanpreet Kaur says that her team did not play their best cricket and they need to think about the areas where they need to improve. Feels that they created chances but could not convert them which you can afford in a World Cup. Tells that they know every game from now on is important and they need to be at their best. Feels that they gave 10-15 runs too many but it still was a gettable total, if anyone from the batting unit could have got in. Shares that the way they fought back with the ball was a positive but this was not the start they were hoping for.

Sophie Devine is the Player of the Match for her stellar performance with the bat and three catches as well. She starts by saying that the platform laid down by Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer was excellent and even when things slowed down in the middle, they had wickets in hand and could up the ante. She then goes on to applaud the cameos, especially the one Brooke Halliday played. On her knock, she says that it was difficult to start on this deck but she just kept on going at it and ends by saying that it is nice to be rewarded after a valiant effort.

The Presentation Ceremony...

Earlier in the game, after opting to bat first, the Kiwis started strong, with openers Bates and Plimmer laying a solid foundation in the first six overs. They played cautiously yet effectively, setting the stage for a competitive total. However, the game's momentum shifted when India claimed a couple of quick wickets, turning the match into a tactical contest. India's spinners then took control, effectively slowing the run rate during the middle overs. Despite these challenges, New Zealand regained control in the death overs. Sophie Devine's unbeaten half-century, along with crucial partnerships with Kerr and Halliday, propelled the team forward. The Kiwis finished strong, scoring 51 runs in the final five overs and posting a challenging total for India to chase.

Following their impressive batting performance, New Zealand Women needed their bowlers to step up, and they did just that. The Kiwi bowlers capitalized on the advantages with no apparent dew and the ball moving both in the air and off the pitch. Their disciplined attack yielded quick wickets in the early stages, effectively tearing apart the Indian batting order. Young Eden Carson delivered an impressive performance, while the seasoned Lea Tahuhu claimed three wickets but it was Rosemary Mair who chipped in with a spectacular 4-fer. The Kiwi bowlers worked together effectively, thwarting any potential partnerships from flourishing. Their disciplined bowling was complemented by outstanding fielding, leaving no Indian batter able to score more than 20 runs. To make matters worse, no partnership managed to exceed 20 runs either.

This pressure to accelerate certainly got the better of them as Jemimah Rodrigues too fell early in her innings in an attempt to counterattack. As a result, with too many wickets down, India Women crawled through the mid overs and could only get to 63 at the halfway stage versus New Zealand Women's 72/2 at this very stage. They never found the momentum and the asking rate zoomed up massively and it was a matter of time before a procession of wickets which further depleted their hopes. And in the end, they were bowled out with an over to spare.

In stark contrast to their opponents, India Women's innings got off to a disastrous start. The Powerplay proved brutal as they lost their top three batters - Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Harmanpreet Kaur, all fell cheaply. With the score at a precarious 43/3 in 6 overs, India found themselves in deep trouble already. They then faced the dual task of steadying the ship with a stable partnership while also keeping the required run rate within manageable limits.

Talk about a clinical performance, and the White Ferns have delivered it sincerely! A huge win for New Zealand Women which will certainly help them to cement their position in Group A. To sum it up in brief, it was a disastrous day at the office for India Women, both with the ball and with the bat. In contrast, New Zealand Women delivered a polished and much-improved performance, especially after a streak of prior defeats before heading into the World Cup.

OUT! TAKEN! All over for India! Two in two for Rosemary Mair as New Zealand complete a comprehensive win. Mair serves it full, around off, Renuka Singh Thakur leans and tries to drill it down the ground. Pushes at the delivery with hard hands and the ball flies off the outer half of the bat towards backward point where the skipper, Sophie Devine takes a reverse cup catch by staying low. Mair ends with four wickets. New Zealand win by 58 runs to get their campaign off to a winning start!

OUT! TAKEN! All over for India! Two in two for Rosemary Mair as New Zealand complete a comprehensive win. Mair serves it full, around off, Renuka Singh Thakur leans and tries to drill it down the ground. Pushes at the delivery with hard hands and the ball flies off the outer half of the bat towards backward point where the skipper, Sophie Devine takes a reverse cup catch by staying low. Mair ends with four wickets. New Zealand win by 58 runs to get their campaign off to a winning start!

Renuka Singh Thakur is the last batter in for India Women.

OUT! CAUGHT! Rosemary Mair does eventually get rid of Shreyanka Patil and she has her third wicket. This is served on a good length around off, slightly off pace as well. Shreyanka Patil leans on to lift it over mid off but skews it straight up. The substitute fielder there, Molly Penfold comes forward and takes a simple catch. New Zealand Women just one wicket away from a huge win here.

OUT! CAUGHT! Rosemary Mair does eventually get rid of Shreyanka Patil and she has her third wicket. This is served on a good length around off, slightly off pace as well. Shreyanka Patil leans on to lift it over mid off but skews it straight up. The substitute fielder there, Molly Penfold comes forward and takes a simple catch. New Zealand Women just one wicket away from a huge win here.

Another slower one, full and outside off, Shreyanka Patil looks to fetch and swing across the line but misses.

Hard length at the body, tucked away to the leg side for a single.

Halt! Georgia Plimmer walks off the field, holding her right calf. Molly Penfold comes on for her as the substitute fielder.