The Indian eves started the ICC Women’s T20 2018 tournament with a bang defeating New Zealand by 34 runs at Providence Stadium, Guyana on Friday. Kaur and Rodrigues 134 runs partnership for the 4th wicket ensured a big total, bowlers did a great job to defend the target with ease.
Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and decided to bat first. It was a poor start by the Indian team losing the wicket of Taniya Bhatia for 9 runs. Tahuhu struck again dismissing Smriti Mandhana with a brilliant catch by Jensen for 2 runs. Jemimah Rodrigues came to the crease and played with positive intent. Hemalatha scored 15 off 7 balls. At the end of 6 overs, India scored 41 for 3.
Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur took time to settle and then along with Jemimah Rodrigues smashed the New Zealand bowlers. Kaur reached her half-century off 33 balls while Rodrigues also completed her half-century off 39 balls. Rodrigues playing her first World Cup became the youngest Indian women to score a half-century in World T20 tournament.
The India bench applaud a fantastic century from captain @ImHarmanpreet! đź‘Ź đź‘Ź đź‘Ź#NZvIND #WT20 pic.twitter.com/E0ee6ZvcQ8
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) November 9, 2018
The Indian captain showed her power and made the batting look easy. Rodrigues was dismissed for 59 off 45 balls. Both Rodrigues and Kaur added 134 runs in quick time. Kaur reached her maiden T20I century off 49 balls. With her century, Kaur became the first Indian women to score a century in T20I’s. She was dismissed for 103 off 51 balls with 7 fours and 8 sixes at a strike rate off 201.96.
Chasing 195 runs to win, Bates looked in good touch and attacked the Indian bowlers. Both Bates and Peterson added 52 runs for the first wicket. Hemalatha playing her debut T20I match got breakthrough dismissing Peterson for 14 runs. The Indian bowlers kept picking wickets at regular intervals. Poonam Yadav put the brakes on New Zealand batting by dismissing Devine and Watkin in successive balls. Bates reached her half-century off 38 balls. Reddy took the important wicket of Devine for 67 off 50 balls. New Zealand wicketkeeper Martin scored 39 off 25 balls while Kasperek made 19 off 9 balls. India eves won the opening match by 34 runs as New Zealand ended on 160 for 9. For India, Hemalatha and Poonam Yadav took 3 wickets each.
India 194 for 5 in 20 overs ( Harmanpreet Kaur 103, Jemimah Rodrigues 59, Tahuhu 2/18, Kasperek 1/28) beat
New Zealand 160 for 9 in 20 overs ( Bates 67, Martin 39, Hemalatha 3/26, Poonam Yadav 3/33) by 34 runs.
New Zealand captain Amy Satterthwaite said: We were outplayed in the match. Tuhuhu bowled well but Harmanpreet Kaur played an outstanding inning. Tried different options but was too late. Need to come up with great confidence in upcoming matches.
Indian captain and Player of the match Harmanpreet Kaur said: We need to improve as a team. The bowling needs to improve. It was a great display of batting by Rodrigues who played well. Need to improve as a whole.
Indian women will play their next match on 11th at Providence Stadium, Guyana.
