67 points in the first 15 overs cost India a golden opportunity to beat hosts New Zealand and build a winning streak at the 2022 Women’s World Cup. India were chasing 261 points and managing just 198 in 46.4 overs as they succumbed to a 62-run loss in Thursday’s second game of the tournament at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
Harmanpreet Kaur showed signs of her old self, hitting 71 balls from 63 after a slow start but it wasn’t enough as India paid the price of a normal start as they only managed 50 runs in the first 20 overs. There was no real intention from captain Mihali Raj and opener Yastika Bhatia after losing Smriti Mandhana early on in form for 6 in the 6th over of the chase.
New Zealand bowlers executed their plans perfectly as Lea Tahuhu shone with 3 wickets in her 10 overs, giving away just 17 runs and bowling 2 maids. Leg spinner Amelia Kerr picked up 3 crucial wickets including Mithali’s to track her fifty from the first innings.
Yastika (28 of 59) and Mithali (31 of 56) have struggled to get off the ground as their odd partnership cost India the momentum they needed to pursue 261. The lack of intention to even roll over the strike was shocking when questions were asked about their modus operandi.
Yastika fell to Tahuhu on the 20th, after which India lost Mithali and Richa Ghosh (0) in the same over to Amelia Kerr. India chose to drop teenage slugger Shafali Verma despite a poor showing in their opening game against Pakistan Jhulan Goswami supports them on the eve of the game against New Zealand.
Harmanpreet Kaur threw in a few more powerful punches towards the end, but the claim rate had skyrocketed. The star-batter fell to Amelia for 71 while trying to do the unlikely.
71 running
63 balls
6 foursomes
2 sixes#TeamIndia Vice captain @ImHarmanpreet goes, but not before she’s played a fine tap.Follow the game https://t.co/zZzFTtBxPb#CWC22 | #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/hTizx4GfUC
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) March 10, 2022
Senior player Jhulan Goswami hit 15 and Sneh Rana 18, but India missed the target by a wide margin.
POOJA VASTRAKARS 4/34 FULFILL
It was disappointing to see the batsmen unable to capitalize on the bowlers’ good work. Earlier in the day, Pooja Vastrakar got her yorkers right with superb precision when she picked up 4/34 in her 10-over cast. Rajeshwari Gayakwad chipped in with 2 wickets Jhulan equaled the World Cup record for most wickets (39) by one wicket in their final.
Amy Satterthwaite had the highest score for the New Zealand women with 84 balls and 75, while Amelia had a fifty with 260 points. The Indian bowlers came back strong after her death, giving away just 49 runs and taking 5 wickets in the last 10 overs.
Loss to New Zealand is a reality check for India, whose tactics, particularly with the racquet, have come under scrutiny in recent times.
India face a potential game of everything when they take on the in-form West Indies, who have won 2-of-2, in their next game in Hamilton on Saturday 12 March.
India vs. New Zealand, CWC 22 Short Result
New Zealand 260/9 (Satterthwaite 75, Amelia 50; Pooja 4/34). India 198 – All out in 46.4 overs (Harmanpreet 71; Tahuhu 3/17) with 62 runs in Hamilton
