 "India suffered a 58-run loss to New Zealand in their opening match of the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup. AP")
India suffered a humiliating 58-run defeat to New Zealand in their opening match of the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup in Dubai on Friday. It’s a defeat that has significantly hampered India’s chances of qualifying for the semi-finals for the fourth consecutive time.
And given the fact that they are in Group A, dubbed the ‘Group of Death’ that also consists of Pakistan, Sri Lanka and defending champions Australia, qualifying for the semi-finals will be anything but easy.
Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 | India’s fielding, batting remain a worry after heavy defeat to New Zealand in opener
India were asked to field by New Zealand on Friday. White Ferns’ openers Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer played some aggressive shots in the powerplay, taking their team to 55/0 in the first six overs. Renuka Singh (2/27), Asha Sobhana (1/22) and Arundhati Reddy (1/28) were the only positives for India as far as their bowling was concerned, as skipper Sophie Devine led from the front to take New Zealand to 160/4.
A majority of India’s batters were clueless against New Zealand, and Harmanpreet Kaur’s score of 15 was the top score by an Indian batter on Friday as they were all out for 102 in their run chase with an over to spare. Right-arm pacers Rosemary Mair (4/19) and Lea Tahuhu (3/15) did the job for the White Ferns as they shared seven wickets between them.
As it happened | India vs New Zealand, 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup Group A
India next face arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday (6 October), before taking on Sri Lanka (9 October) and Australia (13 October) in their last two group stage matches.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsHow Harmanpreet Kaur and Co can qualify for semi-finals
A 58-run loss to New Zealand in their opening fixture means India find themselves in fourth place currently, with a disappointing Net Run Rate (NRR) of -2.900. Australia, who are yet to play a game this tournament, are in fifth place, as per the official Women’s T20 World Cup standings. It goes without saying that India need to beat Pakistan and Sri Lanka in their next two group games and by doing so, they will get to four points from three matches.
However, it will only help India’s cause if India beat both Pakistan and Sri Lanka by big margins. Should India beat both Pakistan and Sri Lanka by big margins, and also get the better of Australia in their final group game, that would put India in a good position to qualify for the semi-finals.
Should India beat Pakistan and Sri Lanka but lose to Australia, then they will need New Zealand to do them a favour by suffering defeats in a minimum of two of their last three group stage matches. Which two teams go through to the semi-finals will then be decided on the basis of Net Run Rate (NRR).
Australia will kickstart their title defence with a match against Sri Lanka in Sharjah on Saturday.