S Poddar
DUBAI, OCTOBER 4 – It was fantastic first match for Women’s T20 World Cup. New Zealand stunned the cricketing world with an impressive 58-run win over India. The winning ended a 10-match losing streak for the White Ferns as they proved their tenacity and talent under the lights of Dubai.
New Zealand opening batswomen Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer set the platforms right upfront to set things going even as Bates was dropped on 18; the pair capitalized on India’s fielding lapses to put up a total that would intimidate most teams, 160 for 4. Sophie Devine’s aggressive knock of 57 not out was just the icing on the cake for the White Ferns.
It was disappointing to see India fail on the batting side as they could never get moving fast enough with respect to the requirement of the game. Even though several players reached double figures, no one came good for his team. The New Zealand bowling can be credited to a large extent to Rosemary Mair’s outstanding effort of 4 for 19 that pinned India down at all times and led to the comprehensive defeat.
This has thrown the tournament completely open, and with this shock win, Australia might now have to face a rejuvenated opposition in New Zealand. But India will have to recharge fast and come up with some strategy to handle this shock being administered so early in the proceedings as they face Pakistan next.
A win by New Zealand to India is one of the perfect exhibits of unpredictable cricket. It always kept reminding me that even mighty teams fall at times, and with a good mix of skill, ambition, and luck, anything could happen in cricket.
