'Didn't play our best cricket', says Harmanpreet Kaur after defeat against White Ferns
Harmanpreet Kaur and co, the pre-tournament favourites, got off to a poor start in Group A with a lackluster performance in all aspects and lost to New Zealand by 58 runs at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday.
Dubai: In the run-up to the Women's T20 World Cup, many people, including the Indian players, talked about how this is the best team to play in that edition of the tournament, covering all the bases. But Harmanpreet Kaur and co, the pre-tournament favourites, made a poor start in Group A with a lackluster performance in all aspects, losing by 58 runs to New Zealand at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday.
“We didn't play our best cricket. We know every game is important going forward. We created chances but we couldn't capitalize on those chances. They played better cricket than us, no doubt. (In fielding) we made some mistakes so it's a learning for us going forward.”
“We have chased 160-170 many times, we were expecting that on the board. While batting, we knew someone had to bat but we kept losing wickets. We know this group is capable of (doing) better, it was not the start we expected but we have to go (up) from here,” said a disappointed Harmanpreet after the match.
For New Zealand, there was no better way to snap a ten-match losing streak in the format than with a clinical victory over an unlisted Indian side. After a 67-run opening partnership between Suzy Bates and Georgia Plimmer, captain Sophie Devine took charge of the back of New Zealand's innings with an unbeaten 57 off 36 balls as they posted a challenging total of 160/4 on a sticky pitch.
“Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer's podium in the top of the inning set the tone. Me and Mellie (Amelia Kerr) were probably a bit slow in the 7-12 overs but we were able to go hard at the back end.”
“It was hard to work there, trying to pick up speed and find gaps. A bit scratchy to begin with. Really glad to contribute. We have worked so hard over the last six months, it's great to see the team get their reward,” said Sophie after receiving the man of the match award.
With the ball aided by a chilly Dubai evening breeze, pacer Rosemary Myer took 4-19, pacer Lee Tahuhoo 3-15 and offspinner Eden Carson opened the game by dismissing the Indian openers in the first four overs.
“I'm really proud of this group. People are talking about our recent results, coming up against a world class team like India, I am blown away by the performance. We have been targeting this game for a long time. To come out and put a marker (is great), but we have a long way to go in the competition.”
“We got off to a good start with the powerplay from Georgia and Suzy. He showed great intent. Then it was really important to end the inning, with Brooke Halliday and Maddie Green making valuable plays. We were probably going 10 overs, but we know how powerful their line-up is. We talked about making the batsmen play their hardest shots, and the bowlers really delivered,” Sophie said of how they got their plans spot-on to confuse India.
India don't have much time – just a day's rest before taking on Pakistan on Sunday afternoon. New Zealand, on the other hand, have a few days left before they face defending champions Australia on October 8.
“We know them well. Always a big challenge, being able to play in these conditions levels the playing field a bit. We will take a lot of confidence, they want you to play. Licking our lips to get stuck in,” Sophie concluded.