WT20I WC : Hot favourites India jolted by NZ, Wins for Pak, SA

 

The T20I Women's world cup 2024 has finally got underway at UAE after the event was shifted there due to political turmoil in the original venue of T20 2024 World cup ie Bangladesh .  While South Africa,  Bangladesh,  Pakistan won their opening games, there had been shocks for Asian Cup champions Sri Lanka  and one of the hot favourites  India . 

India lost their opening match in the T20 World Cup  due to underperformance by both batters and bowlers, suffering a 58-run defeat against New Zealand. The match took place in Dubai on Friday. Harmanpreet Kaur's team faced a significant setback in their pursuit of a World Cup victory as they were bowled out for 102 while chasing New Zealand's score of 160/4. This is New Zealand's largest victory margin against India in T20 cricket. The defeat also impacted India's run rate significantly and has put their qualification chances for semis in total turmoil . 

New Zealand opted to bat first after winning the toss, and their strategy was clear from the outset. Openers began aggressively, scoring 55 runs in the powerplay without losing a wicket, leaving Indian bowlers directionless. Poor fielding further added to India's woes.

In the fifth ball of the sixth over, wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh dropped an easy catch. Suzie Bates, attempting to play a leg-side shot off Arundhati Reddy, edged the ball, which went high, but Richa failed to grasp it. Earlier, a shot had slipped through Renuka Singh’s hands for a boundary. Arundhati later dismissed Bates (27) in the eighth over, caught by Shreyanka Patil. The next opener, Georgia Plimmer (30), fell to Asha Shobana on the first ball of the ninth over, slightly slowing New Zealand's run rate.

Drama unfolded at the end of the 14th over. Amelia Kerr had pushed a delivery from Deepti Sharma to long-off and took a single. As she attempted a second run, Harmanpreet quickly threw the ball to Richa Ghosh, who ran Kerr out. Although Kerr began walking off the field, the umpires called her back, ruling the ball dead as soon as Harmanpreet had caught it, making the run-out invalid. Harmanpreet was visibly displeased with the decision.

New Zealand accelerated their scoring towards the end, with captain Sophie Devine leading the charge. She hit three boundaries off one over from Deepti Sharma and was relentless against the Indian bowlers. The highly experienced  Sophie Devine remained unbeaten with 57 runs off 36 balls.

India's chase began promisingly with Smriti Mandhana hitting a four off the first ball against Jess Kerr, but they soon lost their first wicket on the opening ball of the second over, as Shafali Verma (2) was dismissed. Smriti's departure in the fifth over (12 runs) and Harmanpreet's exit in the sixth (15 runs) left India under enormous pressure.

As India's run rate dropped, batters began taking risks, leading to a string of dismissals. Jemimah Rodrigues (13), Richa Ghosh (12), and Deepti Sharma (13) all failed to make significant contributions, resulting in India's collapse . Too much was left for the lower order and thus Indian innings disintegrated easily to get 103 all out. 

India now needs to beat Pakistan ,Sri Lanka by handsome margins & wait for at least opt those teams  .

Meanwhile the other games saw , Bangladesh beat Scotland by 16  runs , after a few anxious moments but their bowlers suceeded in defending a low total (119) succesfully .  Asian Champions Sri lanka was beaten by Pakistan in another close game . The Lankan bowlers dominated Pakistan till a late surge by skipper Fatima Sana (30)  saw Pakistan reach 118 . Then the early dismissal of Sri Lanka captain & mainstay batter Chamari Athapaththu (6) put enormous pressure on the rest of the Lankan batters and none would measure up to the requirements and Sri Lanka lost by 31 runs failing to overhaul a very modest target finishing on a dissapponting  85/9.  Sadia Iqbal took 3 wickets for Pakistan while Sana took 2 wickets 

Meanwhile last years  runners South Africa started their campaign on a highly confident note , thrashing the West Indies  by a wopping margin of 10 wickets.  The West Indies could manage only  118 . Mainstay Hayley Mathews (10) was out for a low score. Stephanie Taylor contributed a fine 44 for the West Indies while Mlaba took 4 wickets for South Africa . In reply the Protea openers skipper Laura Wolvaardt (59*) & Tazmin Brits (57*) completed the win with a stellar century run unbroken stand  and exhibited scintillating strokeplay.