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Team India women's team have started their 2024 Women's T20 World Cup campaign on the worst possible note after recording a massive 58-run loss against New Zealand in their opening Group A fixture on Friday, October 4. The Women in Blue were dominated across all departments of the game and got their net run-rate tanked at the Dubai International Stadium.
New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine won the toss and elected to bat first. The opening duo of Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer got the side off to an electric start with India's electric bowling and sloppy fielding being the focal point of the powerplay.
India managed to claw their way back into the contest with Asha Sobhana bowling a tight spell of leg spin. However, Sophie Devine scored a quick-fire fifty coming in at No.4 and helped New Zealand reach the 160-run mark at the end of the first innings.
India were never in the run chase, losing both their openers inside the powerplay while Harmanpreet Kaur also struggled to get going at No.3. The middle-order could not cope with the ever-rising required rate and New Zealand exerted pressure by taking wickets constantly.
The Women in Blue could only muster 102 on the board and were bowled out with an over to spare. The loss could prove to be costly as India have a net run-rate of -2.900 in the group of death.
With the win, New Zealand have skyrocketed to the top spot in Group A with a net run-rate of +2.900, while Pakistan sit in second place after starting their campaign with a win.
India set to face Pakistan on October 6
India will have to bounce back as soon as possible to remain alive in the tournament. The 2024 edition was slated to be India's step up in the tournament after their narrow misses in recent times. However, the loss against New Zealand has increased the risk of their elimination in the group stage itself.
Harmanpreet Kaur and Co. are scheduled to face arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday, October 6 in Dubai.
