India Women vs New Zealand Women, Highlights, ICC Women's T20 World Cup: Team India storm into semi-finals with thrilling 4-run win over White Ferns

Things pretty even in Group B and it is open for multiple teams to go through

It will be between Australia and New Zealand to book a place in the semi-final from Group A

India have become the first team to qualify for the semifinal. This will be India’s fourth semifinal appearance in Women’s World T20 – 2009, 2010, 2018 and 2020.

Narrowest win for India W in T20Is – by runs:

3 v WI W, North Sound, 2012
4 v NZ W, Melbourne, 2020*
5 v WI W, Providence, 2019

Shikha Pandey pivotal in containing New Zealand

3/14, 2/14 & 1/21 in the three games so far from shikha pandey. so calm under pressure. guessing the air force training helps! #T20WorldCup #NZvIND

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) February 27, 2020

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur: “In the last three games we’ve learnt a lot. Now it is about taking it day by day. We made a strong start, looked good after 10 overs. But didn’t carry that momentum forward. We need to do better at that in the next few games. In the bowling, we were good but afforded some mistakes. We can’t do that when games get tougher ahead. Can’t keep making the silly mistakes.”

New Zealand captain Sophie Devine: “I thought we did really good to restrict them to 133 after the way Shafali Verma started.”

“We probably expected to the pitch to be different. We didn’t adapt quickly enough. Jensen did well but the spinners closed things down for us.”

“I thought we very close today but not quite. We can take positives to cut them down, the late flourish. Little time before we come back for Bangladesh.”

Tough being a professional cricketer!

Another classic choke from New Zealand. Amelia Kerr is all class, but plays for the world's worst underperformers in women's tournaments. #T20WorldCup

— Geoff Lemon Sport (@GeoffLemonSport) February 27, 2020

Between Australia and New Zealand now to make the semis. Oof!

India through to the Semis. Batted first on all three occasions and bowlers have successfully defended every time. Spin to Win. Now, only one of Aus and NZ can reach the final four. #IndvNZ #WT20WC

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 27, 2020

Harsha Bhogle lauding the player of the match Shafali

The spinners have been sensational and Shafali Varma is giving India just the starts the team needs. If the tracks continue to be like this, India have a very good chance of going the distance. #T20WorldCup

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 27, 2020

Player of the match Shafali Verma

She speaks through Jemimah acting as an interpreter: “Happy with how things went. I hope to keep providing a good start to the Indian team. There were not easy runs, I converted the bad balls and played for singles, doubles until then. All I’ve done and achieved is courtesy my father, academy and the support and the practice I have had.”

India are through to the semi-finals with three wins from three matches!

India have qualified for the #T20WorldCup semi-finals 🎉 pic.twitter.com/3QLefaxNpE

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 27, 2020

INDIA WIN!

India survive! Kerr moved across the off side to try and clear the boundary for a win, a four for a tie and force a Super Over. But Shikha follows her and it has struck Kerr on the pad. Desperate attempt for a second run and Jensen is caught short. Kerr is distraught as the two teams come out for the shake of hands. India women beat New Zealand by 4 runs

A single on the next three balls and now a boundary for New Zealand. Kerr with a much-needed boundary for the White Ferns. She has moved to 34 from 18 and New Zealand need 5 from 1 ball!

Shikha Pandey with the responsibility to defend this. Jensen collects her first boundary of the inning. Not of the middle of the bat but New Zealand won’t mind that one bit. The pressure is on India now…

After 19 overs,New Zealand Women 118/5 ( Amelia Kerr 29 , Hayley Jensen 5)

India looked to be in comfortable position up until the end of 18 overs. Poonam Yadav’s expensive over, 18 runs from it, has New Zealand in it. Kerr collecting four boundaries. New Zealand need 16 from 6 balls!

Another boundary, another for Kerr and India have reason to be concerned. Once again in the same region but this time it is more aerial. Nothing a fielder could do to cut that off.

Kerr collects another boundary. This time she breaches the field on the off side. Poonam Yadav changes the line and it is struck very well for a four

Copy. Paste. Kerr moves across the stumps once again, once again waits for the ball, and once again executes perfectly to collect another boundary. Maybe too little, too late for the Kiwis.

Amelia Kerr with a good start to the over. Gets around the stumps, walks around to the off stump, waits for the ball to arrive and pulls it over fine leg. Well played shot. Suzie Bates attempted the same shot but missed, not Kerr.

After 18 overs,New Zealand Women 100/5 ( Amelia Kerr 11 , Hayley Jensen 5)

Six runs from the Deepti Sharma over and she has clocked out as well. 1/27 from her stipulated overs. Had a chance to effect a run out on the last ball but missed which saw Hayley Jensen survive. Given New Zealand’s ask, India won’t necessarily be perturbed by this. 100 up for New Zealand

After 17 overs,New Zealand Women 94/5 ( Amelia Kerr 9 , Hayley Jensen 1)

A wicket and 8 runs from the Radha Yadav over. She gets her first of the day and finishes with 1/25 from her four overs. Katey Martin smacked a boundary on the second ball but perished on the next with a comfortable take for Jemimah Rodrigues. New Zealand have all to do with India doing really well in the field

Katey Martin falls!

A ball after Katey Martin got a boundary, she has holed down to Jemimah Rodrigues at the boundary rope. She is frustrated as she walks back but that was not an unnecessary shot. New Zealand need the big hits. Radha Yadav celebrates by lifting both her arms in the air. 

Martin c Rodrigues b Radha Yadav 25(28), New Zealand 90/5

After 16 overs,New Zealand Women 86/4 ( Katey Martin 21 , Amelia Kerr 6)

Seven runs from the Deepti Sharma over. Amelia Kerr getting the boundary that New Zealand need every over. Make that one boundary an over at least. Katey Martin needs to take control here perhaps

Much-needed boundary for New Zealand. Kerr pierces the off side field with a nice smack of the willow to Deepti Sharma’s delivery. Gets through a fielder and makes its way to the boundary with ease

After 15 overs,New Zealand Women 79/4 ( Katey Martin 19 , Amelia Kerr 1)

Two runs from a very productive and successful over by Rajeshwari Gayakwad. She’s gotten rid of the dangerous Maddy Green and the well-set batswoman and the partnership has been broken. That has brought Amelia Kerr to the middle. Required rate now up to 11

Green is caught behind!

Rajeshwari Gayakad gets her first wicket of the day. Maddy Green comes down the track, a massive heave but the ball is well out of her reach. Taniya Bhatia makes the catch to the slightest of touches behind. For good measure, she whipped the bails off as well. 

Maddy Green c Bhatia b Gayakwad 24(23), New Zealand 77/4

After 14 overs,New Zealand Women 77/3 ( Maddy Green 24 , Katey Martin 18)

Shikha Pandey goes for six runs with singles on four deliveries and a double on the last ball. Radha Yadav with a shy at the stumps which allowed Green, Martin to collect a second as overthrows. Not something India can afford at this stage. This partnership on to 43 now

After 13 overs,New Zealand Women 71/3 ( Maddy Green 22 , Katey Martin 14)

6 runs from the Poonam Yadav over with Katey Martin getting a boundary from it. New Zealand have now collected 32 runs from the last four overs and suddenly they look to be alive in this. India badly need a breakthrough.

Katey Martin helping the scoreboard now and New Zealand doing wonderfully to keep the flow of runs and boundaries going now. Moves across, gets underneath the flighted delivery, sweeps it over square leg

After 12 overs,New Zealand Women 65/3 ( Maddy Green 21 , Katey Martin 9)

After nine runs, another 10 runs from the Radha Yadav over. New Zealand seeing their first six of the chase with Maddy Green doing exceptionally to clear the boundary rope.

First six of the New Zealand chase! Maddy Green doing a fantastic job in upping the run rate. Well played shot to Radha Yadav and it breaches the boundary on the cow corner region. Cleared the fielders but very well taken by the man in the stands

After 11 overs,New Zealand Women 55/3 ( Maddy Green 13 , Katey Martin 8)

Not the best of overs from India’s perspective. Two boundaries for either batters on the first and last ball of the Gayakwad over. 9 runs from the over and New Zealand need such boundaries on regular intervals

And now another boundary for the White Ferns. Maddy Green with a four on the last ball of the over. Down leg, Green helps it along to the fine leg boundary

Now that one boundary arrived, another hasn’t taken long to come by for New Zealand. Katey Martin with the four this time. Short length by Gayakwad, width outside off and Martin with the cut square on the off-side

After 10 overs,New Zealand Women 46/3 ( Maddy Green 9 , Katey Martin 3)

Seven runs from the Radha Yadav over. New Zealand ending their boundary drought that went back to the fifth over. Maddy Green with a boundary on the last ball. India, meanwhile, were on 75 at this stage in their inning

First boundary for New Zealand in 34 balls. Radha Yadav keeps it short and Green pulls it behind square on the leg side for a much-needed four

After 9 overs,New Zealand Women 40/3 ( Maddy Green 4 , Katey Martin 2)

Five runs from the Poonam Yadav over with five consecutive singles. But on the first ball she got rid of Sophie Devine in a big, big wicket. Devine looked to smack it but only found Radha inside the circle. That also ending Devine’s run of six straight 50-plus scores

Sophie Devine departs!

Full toss by Poonam Yadav and it was there to be smacked and thrashed anywhere around the park. But it only finds the slice and it is taken rather comfortably by Radha Yadav at backward point. It kept going away from her in the air and the heavy swing of the bat didn’t take it far.

Devine c Yadav b Poonam Yadav 14 (21), New Zealand 34/3

After 8 overs,New Zealand Women 34/2 ( Sophie Devine (C) 14 , Maddy Green 1)

Just the one run from Radha Yadav’s over. Brilliant bowling by her and by India thus far (except the first over). Devine had little option to get runs in the over. A single on the final ball will keep her on strike

After 7 overs,New Zealand Women 33/2 ( Sophie Devine (C) 13 , Maddy Green 1)

Three runs from the Poonam Yadav over. Devine and Green with three singles from the over. On the final ball of the over, Poonam almost has Green stumped but the foot remained grounded to a gorgeous leg break

Poonam Yadav in this World Cup before today:

v AUS W : 4/19
v BAK w : 3/18

After 6 overs,New Zealand Women 30/2 ( Sophie Devine (C) 11 , Maddy Green 0)

Two runs from the second Deepti Sharma over. India have done well to keep the runs slow and the boundaries have dried up. Suzie Bates falls for 6 from 13 after trying to play a paddle sweep. Made her intentions with the shot clear very early and the ball slowed down enough to disrupt her flow. End of the powerplay overs as well. India were 39/1 after their powerplay

Suzie Bates bowled!

Uh oh! What was Suzie Bates doing there! She looked to accelerate, trying to up the flow of runs, moves to the off side and was hoping to scoop the ball in the leg side region. Would have been smart if it worked, but it has not. Deepti Sharma gets the second New Zealand wicket. 

Bates b Deepti Sharma 6(13), New Zealand 30/2

After 5 overs,New Zealand Women 28/1 ( Sophie Devine (C) 10 , Suzie Bates 5)

6 runs from the Rajeshwari Gayakwad over. Sophie Devine collecitng her second boundary of the match. New Zealand staying close to the required run rate

Sophie Devine comes down the track, gets close to the pitch of the ball and lifts it over mid-off for a boundary. That would help her confidence after coming close to walking back in the previous over.

After 4 overs,New Zealand Women 22/1 ( Sophie Devine (C) 5 , Suzie Bates 4)

Four runs from the Shikha Pandey over. Just the singles and a double from the over. But India have lost their review after thinking they’ve got Sophie Devine leg before but it was missing leg.

India lose review

Sophie Devine collects a single off a leg bye. India appeal for leg before but the umpire says not out. India seem convinced that they have the wicket and refer to the third umpire. There is no bat to it, is in line, impact is in line as well, but missing the leg stump.

After 3 overs,New Zealand Women 18/1 ( Sophie Devine (C) 5 , Suzie Bates 1)

Five runs from the first Rajeshwari Gayakwad over. Nothing from the first four balls, then a single which brought Devine on the strike. A delivery on the leg stump allowed her to play it fine for a boundary

Sophie Devine’s last 10 T20I innings:

75*, 105, 77, 61, 54*, 72, 19, 62, 51, 32

Rajeshwari Gayakwad comes into the attack. On the final ball of the over, she loses the line and Devine glances the ball down the leg side. Played it very fine and no one is able to cut that off

After 2 overs,New Zealand Women 13/1 ( Sophie Devine (C) 1 , Suzie Bates 0)

Just one run from the Shikha Pandey over. But most importantly, she gets rid of Rachel Priest for 12 (9) with Radha Yadav taking a fantastic catch. Suize Bates joins Sophie Devine in the middle

New Zealand lose Priest

Rachel Priest walks back! Shikha Pandey strikes! Tries to attack the full delivery but gets a top edge. Brilliantly done by Radha Yadhav to hold on at the edge of the circle amid the windy conditions. Priest c Yadav b Pandey 12 (9), New Zealand 13/1

After 1 overs,New Zealand Women 12/0 ( Rachel Priest (W) 12 , Sophie Devine (C) 0)

If controlling the flow of runs and getting an early wicket was the aim for India, it hasn’t worked in the opening over. Rachel Priest collecting three boundaries to Deepti Sharma’s spin. 12 runs from the first over

Make that three boundaries in the over for Priest. Very poor ball once again. Plenty of time and space for Priest to relax her arms and she doesn’t need second asking. Over the square leg fielder.

Rachel Priest collects a second boundary. Swept, gets a top edge and it flies over the keeper and the infield. Pandey with a desperate dive to cut that off but is unable to do so

Rachel Priest gets a boundary on the second ball of the chase. Short and wide by Deepti and it is cut behind point for a boundary. Tame bowling that

New Zealand underway

Deepti Sharma to bowl first for India and hope the spin gets the early wickets that India really need. Priest and Devine get the New Zealand batting going. New Zaland chasing 134 to win. Remember, 133 or more has not been chased down in this T20 World Cup.

After 20 overs,India Women 133/8 ( Shikha Pandey 10 , )

The responsibility of bowling the final over has been given to Hayley Jensen. India have room to work with but good shots from the batters don’t yield many runs because the field is adjusted accordingly. Radha smacks the fifth ball of the over towards the cover region for a maximum but runs herself out on the final delivery. Right then, 133/8 is what India have managed to post on the board — could have been more but thanks to a batting collapse towards the end.

India women today

1-10 overs : 75/2 (RR – 7.50)
11-20 overs : 58/6 (RR – 5.80)

India innings

0-5 overs: 46/1

5-10 overs: 29/1

10-15 overs: 25/3

15-20 overs: 33/3

OUT! Radha wanting to sneak a double but a single is all she could manage as she run herself out there.

Radha Yadav run out (Kasperek/Priest) 14(9)

SIX! Full from Hayley Jensen and Radha plays a lofted inside out drive over the covers for a maximum. 130 up for India.

After 19 overs,India Women 121/7 ( Shikha Pandey 9 , Radha Yadav 4)

Leigh Kasperek comes in to bowl her last and the penultimate over of the innings. Mix up between the two batters on the third delivery of the over but thankfully, India didn’t pay any price for that. India are looking to play out the full 20 overs. Not taking any risks. Seven runs from the second last over.

After 18 overs,India Women 114/7 ( Shikha Pandey 5 , Radha Yadav 1)

Sophie Devine returns for her second over. The first delivery was right in the slot for Deepti, who was unlucky and found the fielder at deep mid wicket. New Zealand have tightened the noose around the Indian batters and come back into the contest really well. Three runs at this stage of the game. That’s a really good over.

OUT!

In the slot for Deepti Sharma but she hits it straight to Hayley Jensen at deep mid-wicket. India are losing the plot here. Deepti Sharma c Hayley Jensen b Devine 8(11)

After 17 overs,India Women 111/6 ( Deepti Sharma 8 , Shikha Pandey 3)

Anna Peterson comes into the attack for her second over. She’s bowling tight lines this over and all the Indian batters can do is nudge the ball into the gaps for ones and two. Six runs off the over.

After 16 overs,India Women 105/6 ( Deepti Sharma 4 , Shikha Pandey 1)

Amelia Kerr back for her third over. Tosses up the first delivery and removes Krishnamurthy, who departs after being signalled LBW by the third umpire. The wickets keep tumbling for the Indians. They need someone to up the ante here. Five runs in the over.

Shafali Verma climbs up the charts

Highest career strike rates in women's T20Is (min. 200 runs)

1️⃣ Shafali Verma - 438 runs at 147.97
2️⃣ Chloe Tryon - 722 runs at 138.31
3️⃣ Alyssa Healy - 1,875 runs at 129.66

The 16-year-old is top of the tree 🌲#INDvNZ | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/GaVkk5rGOk

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 27, 2020

OUT!

Tossed up from Kerr and Krishnamurthy failed to read that one, thus getting trapped in front of the wicket. Krishnamurthy lbw b Amelia Kerr 6(5)

FOUR! Full toss from Amelia Kerr and Krishnamurthy just guides the ball towards covers for an easy boundary.

Shafali Verma in this tournament so far:‬

‪v AUS W : 29 off 15 balls @ 193.33‬
‪v BAN W : 39 off 17 balls @ 229.41‬
‪v NZ W : 46 off 34 balls @ 135.29 ‬

After 15 overs,India Women 100/5 ( Deepti Sharma 4 , Veda Krishnamurthy 2)

Leigh Kasperek returns. Again, a catch has been put down by the fielder at deep mid-wicket. New Zealand cannot afford this, not at this level. They’ve got to back their fielders up. Four runs in that over. Meanwhile, 100 is up for India.

Shafali Verma misses out on becoming the youngest player to score a fifty in Women’s T20 World Cup. The youngest is ‪Bismah Maroof of Pakistan W v Sri Lanka W at Taunton in 2009 – at the age of 17y 329d.

100 
Krishnamurthy brings up India’s 100 with a single towards deep square leg.

After 14 overs,India Women 96/5 ( Deepti Sharma 2 , Veda Krishnamurthy 0)

Amelia Kerr into her third over. Slight change in field — the mid-on and mid-off is up for the new batter Deepti Sharma. But Sharma not getting tempted at all as she got off the mark with a single. Kerr removes Shafali Verma on the penultimate ball. Good over that, three runs and a wicket from it.

OUT!

Short from Amelia and Shafali tried to hammer that one over mid-on for a maximum. No timing on that one and the ball went straight to Hayley Jensen. Big wicket for New Zealand.  

Shafali Verma c Hayley Jensen b Amelia Kerr 46(34)

After 13 overs,India Women 93/4 ( Shafali Verma 45 , )

Leigh Kasperek returns. Starts off with a wide down the leg side. Improves her length and line subsequently and bowls three consecutive dots. Gets rid of Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur on the final delivery. Three runs and a wicket in the over.

OUT!

Soft dismissal. Harmanpreet, the big scalp. Tossed up from Leigh Kasperek and she hits it straight back at the bowler for an easy catch. 

Harmanpreet Kaur c & b Kasperek 1(5)

After 12 overs,India Women 91/3 ( Shafali Verma 44 , Harmanpreet Kaur (C) 0)

Rosemary Mair back for her third over. Gets rid of Jemimah, who got a leading edge and the ball went straight to the point fieler for an easy catch. Verma gets a four and a six in that over. She’s setting the stage on fire and adding insult to injury. Costly over that, 10 runs off it.

Harmanpreet Kaur is the only player to smash a ton against New Zealand in Women’s T20Is. She achieved the feat at Providence in 2018 when she amassed 103 runs from just 51 balls. Can she light up the show once again today?

SIX! Shafali Verma is on fire. Rosemary pitches it short and she slaps it down the ground for a maximum.

FOUR! Shafali Verma slashes it over short third. Got width and she pounced on that one.

OUT! Loose delivery going down the leg side and Rodrigues top-edges it — the ball going straight down the fielder’s throat at point. 

Jemimah Rodrigues c Amelia Kerr b Rosemary Mair 10 (9)

After 11 overs,India Women 80/2 ( Shafali Verma 34 , Jemimah Rodrigues 10)

Leigh Kasperek, right-arm off break, comes into the attack. Starts off with a dot, a good length delivery. Shafali uses her feet to go down the ground but there’s a fielder there for the same reason — just a single there. So far, New Zealand have been sloppy in the fielding department. Five runs off the over.

After 10 overs,India Women 75/2 ( Shafali Verma 32 , Jemimah Rodrigues 7)

Rosemary Mair returns and she removes Taniya Bhatia on the very first ball of the over. Gets smacked for a four by Jemimah towards mid-on. Shafali Verma again gets dropped — this time by the fielder at mid-on. Seven runs in that over.

Four! Into the pads and Jemimah whips it firmly. The result — it beats mid-on easily. First boundary for Jemimah.

OUT! Short and wide from Rosemary and Taniya picks out Amelia Kerr at backward point. 

Bhatia c Amelia Kerr b Rosemary Mair 23(25)

After 9 overs,India Women 68/1 ( Shafali Verma 32 , Taniya Bhatia (W) 23)

Angelie Kerr comes into the attack for her second over. Shafali hammers the third ball towards long-on where it lands anxiously close to the fielder. Shafali rocks back and steers the fifth ball towards backward point for a boundary. Eight runs off the over.

India fans celebrate the flurry of boundaries

Another 👊 Powerplay from India, with Shafali Verma leading the way!

Their fans are 🕺 at this start!#INDvNZ | #T20WorldCup

SCORE 📝 https://t.co/1cVlAeVAym pic.twitter.com/pSBa6MriGM

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 27, 2020

Four! Very clever from Bhatia. Let the ball come onto her bat and steered it towards deep backward point for a boundary.

After 8 overs,India Women 60/1 ( Shafali Verma 26 , Taniya Bhatia (W) 21)

Hayley Jensen returns for her second over. Starts off with a loosener which gets smacked for a four by Bhatia. Shafali dropped on the fifth delivery of the over by the fielder at long-on — how costly will this be? Tidy over this, six runs off the over.

India Women’s powerplay scores in this tournament so far:

v Aus W : 46/2
v Ban W : 54/2
v NZ W : 49/1

FOUR! 

Short from Hayley and Bhatia sits back and pulls it over mid-wicket for a four.

After 7 overs,India Women 54/1 ( Shafali Verma 25 , Taniya Bhatia (W) 16)

Amelia Kerr, right-arm leg break, will bowl her first over. Tossing up the first three deliveries of the over — probably a ploy to tempt the batter and deceive her with flight. The fourth ball was a loosener and Bhatia made the most of it with a boundary behind square. Five runs off the over.

FOUR! Full toss and Bhatia sweeps it behind square for her second boundary. 50 up for India.

After 6 overs,India Women 49/1 ( Shafali Verma 25 , Taniya Bhatia (W) 11)

Hayley Jensen comes in to bowl for her first over. Bowled tight lines in that over and didn’t give any freebies. As a result, the batters could only sneak in three singles. That’s the end of the first powerplay.

After 5 overs,India Women 46/1 ( Shafali Verma 24 , Taniya Bhatia (W) 9)

Anna Peterson, right-arm off break, comes into the attack. Tosses up the first four deliveries in an attempt to tempt Shafali and she does but gets smacked four two back to back sixes on the fifth and final delivery of the over. Costly over that — 13 runs off it.

SIX! Full toss and again the same result — Verma hammers it down the ground for a six. Shafali on fire!

SIX! Tossed up from Peterson and Verma uses her feet to smack it down the ground for a biggie.

After 4 overs,India Women 33/1 ( Shafali Verma 12 , Taniya Bhatia (W) 8)

Skipper Sophie Devine, right-arm medium, comes into the attack for her first over. She’s bowling tight lines and giving no room to the batters to free their arms. Verma end the over on a high with a four towards mid wicket. Nine runs off the over.

FOUR! 
Short stuff from Devine and Shafali Verma smacked it towards deep-mid wicket for a four. Postive intent from her.

After 3 overs,India Women 24/1 ( Shafali Verma 7 , Taniya Bhatia (W) 5)

Lea Tahuhu returns for her second over and she gets rid of Smriti Mandhana on the second delivery of the over. Slightly unlucky for Mandhana as it was an inside egde that shattered her stumps. Shafali tries to get the big shot in on the fourth and fifth ball but cannot do so. Taniya flicks the last delivery behind square and collects her first boundary. Nine runs off the over.

FOUR! Low full toss on the pads from Tahuhu, Bhatia gets inside the line and flicks it behind square for her first boundary.

Most wickets for New Zealand in Women’s T20Is:

85 : Sophie Devine
60 : Leigh Kasperek
49 : Suzie Bates
48 : Lea Tahuhu*
47 : Nicola Browne

OUT!

Wide outside the off stump from Tahuhu and Mandhana tried to steer that towards third man. Instead, got an inside edge that shatters her stumps. First breakthrough for the White Ferns.

After 2 overs,India Women 15/0 ( Shafali Verma 6 , Smriti Mandhana 9)

Rosemary Mair, right-arm medium, comes into the attack for her first over. Starts off with dot to Shafali Verma, a back of a length delivery. Mair pitches the second ball short and pays the price against Mandhana, who thrashed that one over the in-field for a boundary. Shafali joins the party as she hammers the last delivery for a four towards deep-extra cover.

FOUR! Room to work with and Shafali hammered it towards the deep extra cover region. First boundary for Shafali.

FOUR! Short pitched from rosemary and Mandhana heaves it down the ground, over the mid-on fielder for her second boundary of the day.

After 1 over,India Women 5/0 ( Shafali Verma 1 , Smriti Mandhana 4)

Lea Tahuhu starts the proceedings with the ball for New Zealand against Indian opener Shafali Verma, who gets off the mark on the second delivery of the over, thanks to an outside edge. Mandhana ends the over on a high with a four towards the cover region.

FOUR! Wide from Tahuhu and Mandhana pounced on that one, smacking it over covers for a boundary.

How cute is that!

🤝#INDvNZ | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/yDGD1amhJz

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 27, 2020

Lea Tahuhu will bowl to Indian opener Shafali Verma. And we are underway.

The young sensation, Shafali Verma is striking at a stupendous rate of 212.50 in this tournament so far. She will be joined by Smriti Mandhana today who has scored two fifties out of her last three innings against New Zealand in T20Is. They should play without any trepidation whatsoever to put some early pressure on New Zealand.

Right then, it’s time for the national anthems!

PITCH REPORT

“It is very grassy. If you get in there, you can bowl some cross-seamers. There are a few cracks as well but not significant I believe,” says Ian Bishop in his pitch report.

The chasing teams have had an upper hand in this tournament so far as the batting first teams have so far won only 37.50 percent of the matches.

New Zealand playing XI

Sophie Devine(c), Rachel Priest(w), Suzie Bates, Maddy Green, Katey Martin, Amelia Kerr, Hayley Jensen, Anna Peterson, Leigh Kasperek, Lea Tahuhu, Rosemary Mair.

India playing XI

Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Taniya Bhatia(w), Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Deepti Sharma, Veda Krishnamurthy, Shikha Pandey, Radha Yadav, Poonam Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad.

India have a 3-8 win/loss record against the Kiwis in Women’s T20Is. Moreover, in Women’s T20 World Cup, it is 1-2.

This Indian team has all the attributes to ascertain that this contest will not be a cakewalk for the New Zealand regardless what the history suggests.

TOSS

New Zealand Women have won the toss and they will field first.

New Zealand, though, have a better head-to-head record against India in recent years, having won the last three matches between the two sides. However, as seen in the tournament so far, this Indian unit embraces challenges and will bring their A game.

Meanwhile, experienced medium-pacer Shikha Pandey was all praise for Shafali Verma and backed the 16-year-old’s “aggressive brand of cricket”. Read more

In-form Shafali Verma has set alight the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup with her six-hitting prowess while Poonam Yadav has bamboozled the batters with her leg-spin. The only area of concern, however, has been India’s middle-order. To read more about Team India’s middle-order woes, click here.

It promises to be a cracker of a contest. More so as both the teams are unbeaten in the tournament so far. While India registered victories against Australia and Bangladesh (by 17 and 18 runs respectively), New Zealand posted a seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka in their first group game.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup match between India and New Zealand at the Junction Oval, Melbourne. High on confidence after two confident victories on the trot, including one against defending champion Australia, India women will aim to replicate the goods against New Zealand and inch closer to a semi-final berth.