In the first match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, Harmanpreet Kaur’s Indian team faced a challenging chase against New Zealand, aiming for a target of 161 runs after the White Ferns posted an impressive total of 160/4 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
India struggled early in their innings, ending the powerplay at 43/3. Eden Carson made a significant impact, dismissing both Indian openers: She then took a return catch to dismiss Shafali Verma on 2 and then dismissed Smriti Mandhana at long-on for 12. The Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur looked to settle the innings with a good knock but was undone by a trap set by Rosemary Mair as the powerplay came to an end. Jemimah Rodrigues also chipped in but she went for a 13 off 11 balls and then Indian was in deep trouble and it was solely up for the middle order to come and chase.
In the initial part of the Kiwi’s innings powerful hitting by the skipper Sophie Devine, who struck a fifty (57 not out) was fabulous. Opener Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer gave a decent start with a 67-run opening partnership. There were dropped chances and a disputed dead-ball call in the innings, but Devine made sure the White Ferns set the highest score seen in the tournament so far.
India’s Renuka Singh emerged as the best bowler and earned 2 wickets for 27 runs. However, a target of 161 runs turned out to be a formidable task for the Indian batting line-up and now needs a comeback to keep the tournament dreams alive.
This match marked the start of the tournament for both sides that features in Group A with defending champions Australia, Asia Cup title holder Sri Lanka and Pakistan today’s winners. Though neither of the teams has won the Women’s T20 World Cup title, both India and New Zealand reached the final before with New Zealand winning silver in both 2009 and 2010 editions of the tournament and India was defeated in the final of the last edition which took place in 2020.
