In a thrilling T20 World Cup encounter on October 4, 2024, New Zealand Women secured a commanding 58-run victory over India Women, breaking their ten-match losing streak against the Indian side. The match saw standout performances from Sophie Devine and Rosemary Mair, who led New Zealand to a solid win, effectively halting India’s momentum in the tournament.
New Zealand’s Batting Prowess
New Zealand, led by their captain Sophie Devine, set the stage with a powerful batting display. Despite early setbacks, with Suzie Bates falling early, Devine stood tall, smashing a vital half-century to stabilize the innings. She was well-supported by Georgia Plimmer, who added crucial runs to lift the team’s total. New Zealand finished their innings at 160 for 6 in 20 overs, a challenging target for the Indian team.
- Key Batters:
- Sophie Devine (C): 56 runs off 40 balls, strike rate 140.00
- Georgia Plimmer: 33 runs off 28 balls
- Suzie Bates: 18 runs off 14 balls
India’s Struggles with the Bat
India’s chase began on a shaky note, with both openers, Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, falling within the powerplay. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur tried to steady the ship, but the relentless bowling attack from New Zealand, led by Rosemary Mair, proved too difficult to handle. Mair’s 4-wicket haul crippled India’s batting lineup, and with Tahuhu’s support, they quickly dismantled India’s middle order.
- Top Batters for India:
- Harmanpreet Kaur (C): 29 runs off 26 balls
- Jemimah Rodrigues: 22 runs off 20 balls
Despite valiant efforts from the lower middle-order, India Women were bowled out for 102 in 19 overs, falling well short of the target.
Bowling Brilliance from New Zealand
Rosemary Mair was the star with the ball, delivering a devastating spell that claimed 4 wickets for just 19 runs in her 4 overs. Lea Tahuhu also impressed, taking 3 wickets and adding pressure throughout India’s innings. Their combined efforts ensured that New Zealand maintained control of the game from start to finish.
- Top Bowlers for New Zealand:
- Rosemary Mair: 4 wickets for 19 runs
- Lea Tahuhu: 3 wickets for 27 runs
Captains and Team Standings
- India Women Captain: Harmanpreet Kaur
- New Zealand Women Captain: Sophie Devine
With this victory, New Zealand improved their standings in the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, bolstering their chances to progress further in the tournament. India, on the other hand, will need to regroup and address their batting concerns ahead of their next match.
Final Scorecard
- New Zealand Women: 160/6 (20 overs)
- India Women: 102 all out (19 overs)
This match serves as a reminder of New Zealand’s resilience and the strength of their bowling unit, which turned the game decisively in their favor.
