POOR START BY INDIAN WOMEN AT T20 WC 2024

In a shocking start to their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign, Indian Women’s team was thoroughly outclassed by New Zealand, losing by 58 runs in their opening match. The loss has now raised serious concerns for India which had raised high hopes as a team that entered the tournament as one of the favourites. It wasn’t just the loss but the manner of the defeat that has suddenly put India’s chances of qualifying for the semis in jeopardy!

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, the Kiwi girls were aggressive from the start. Their top order fired in unison, starting with Suzie Bates (27 off 24) and Georgia Plimmer (34 off 23), who both played crucial roles in building a solid foundation. Together, they frustrated India’s attempts to check the scoring rate.

The star of the show, however, was New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine. Coming in at a crucial stage, she orchestrated a masterful innings, remaining unbeaten on 57. Her leadership was evident not only in her composed batting but also in the way she guided her team through the middle overs. Devine’s ability to find the boundary at key moments, especially during the death overs, ensured that New Zealand finished with a competitive total of 160/4.

While India’s bowling had its moments—especially Renuka Singh, who picked up two key wickets, returning figures of 2/27—frequent fielding lapses and dropped catches allowed New Zealand to build pressure. One of the most critical moments came when wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh dropped a straightforward catch off Devine, which ultimately cost India dearly.

Later, India’s response with the bat was nothing short of disastrous. The top order crumbled with opener Shafali Verma being dismissed cheaply for just 2 and Smriti Mandhana, India’s star batter, followed soon after, contributing only 12 runs. The early losses left India in a precarious position, putting immense pressure on the middle order. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur too was trapped lbw for 15, just when India seemed to be finding a rhythm. Her dismissal was a big blow from which the Indian innings never really recovered.

Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh, who both showed promise and reached double digits, failed to convert their starts into substantial scores. The inability of Indian batters to build partnerships allowed New Zealand’s bowlers to dictate the game. The innings unravelled quickly, with India eventually being bowled out for just 102 in 19 overs.

This defeat exposed several chinks for India. Besides the poor show in both bowling and batting, the most disturbing aspect of India’s performance was their lack of intensity in the field. The inability to build meaningful partnerships proved costly, as India’s top and middle order struggled to stay at the crease. The lack of intent and application from the batters was evident, and the pressure of chasing a challenging total seemed to overwhelm the team.

Dropped catches and missed run-out opportunities allowed New Zealand to score freely, particularly during the final overs. This, combined with lapses in concentration and dropped catches, led to a far higher total than India would have wanted to chase. Speaking after the match, Harmanpreet Kaur acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, particularly in terms of execution. “New Zealand bowled and fielded better than us. We will need to learn from this and come back stronger,” she admitted.

India now faces a do-ordie situation as they prepare to take on Pakistan in their next match. With Pakistan having secured a win in their opening encounter, India must regroup and focus on areas of improvement. The stakes are high, not only because of the World Cup but also due to the historical significance of the India-Pakistan rivalry. Riding high on early momentum, Pakistan will be eager to exploit India’s vulnerabilities. In contrast, India must view this as an opportunity for redemption.

To bounce back, India will need contributions from their star players who have the experience and skill to turn the tide. The clash promises to be a high-octane affair, with both teams keen to outdo each other on the global stage. For India, it is not just a chance to get their campaign back on track but also to reaffirm their credentials as a worldclass team.

Currently, with a terrible net run rate, India stands at the bottom of the points table. But they can take confidence from the fact that in the previous 15 T20 encounters with Pakistan, they have won 12 and lost just 3. With the tournament still in its early stages, there is room for improvement and recovery. The crucial match with Pakistan on Sunday will be a true test of India’s resilience, and how they respond could well define their journey in the tournament!

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Siddhaarth Mahan The writer is a specialist on Sports and Cinema who works as an actor in the Hindi film industry