India's Women's T20 World Cup campaign suffered a major setback as they were comprehensively defeated by New Zealand by 58 runs in Dubai on Friday. The loss marked New Zealand's biggest win against India in T20Is and ended their 10-match losing streak.
On a challenging pitch, New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine led the charge with an unbeaten 57 off 36 balls, guiding her team to a competitive 160 for 4. Devine's power-packed innings included seven boundaries and showcased her exceptional footwork.
India's batting lineup struggled to cope with the slow and sticky conditions. They lost their top three batters, Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, and Harmanpreet Kaur, in the Powerplay for just 43 runs. Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh also failed to make significant contributions, as India's challenge fizzled out in a jiffy.
New Zealand's bowlers, led by Rosemary Mair (4/19) and Lea Tahuhu (3/15), exploited the conditions to perfection. They used the tackiness of the track to their advantage, choking the Indian batters and restricting them to a meager 102 in 19 overs.
The difference between the two sides was evident in their power-hitting ability. Devine and her openers, Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer, possessed the brute force necessary to clear the boundaries on a difficult pitch. In contrast, most Indian batters lacked the muscle to even clear the 30-yard circle.
India's poor ground fielding also contributed to their downfall. Despite Rodrigues' brilliance in the deep, the team made several errors that allowed New Zealand to capitalize on their opportunities.
Tags: #WomensT20WorldCup, #India, #NewZealand, #SophieDevine, #PowerHitting
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