Indian women's team lose 5 wickets in just 35 runs, suffer 18-run defeat against New Zealand in only T20I

India’s preparations for the upcoming Women’s World Cup 2022 faced a big blow after they suffered a defeat by 18 runs against New Zealand in the one-off T20I match, played in Queenstown, on February 9.  

Batting collapse

A poor batting display from the Indian batting saw the women’s team lose five wickets scoring just 35 runs while chasing a target of 156 runs.

Batting first, the hosts registered a formidable total of 155/5 in 20 overs. New Zealand got a good start after their openers- Suzie Bates (36 runs off 34 balls) and skipper Sophie Devine (31 runs off 23 balls), scored a solid opening partnership of 60 runs. India’s Deepti Sharma got the crucial breakthrough after she managed to dismiss skipper Devine in the 8th over of the match. 

Later, Maddy Green (26 runs off 20 balls) and Lea Tahuhu (27 runs off 14 balls) showed fine batting skills to help their team in reaching a defendable total. 

For India, Deepti and medium pacer Pooja Vastrakar picked up two wickets each. Left-arm bowler, Rajeshwari Gayakwad bagged the other wicktet. 

The run chase

In reply, India seemed to start the run chase in a convincing manner but in the 7th over of the innings they lost their first wicket after Yastika Bhatia was sent back to the dressing room after scoring 26 runs off 26 balls. Sabbhineni Meghana tried to script victory for her team but her 37 runs off 30 balls eventually turned out to be futile. 

At one point, Indian team were at 101/3 and looked very much in the game to win it but a dismal batting collapse later saw the visitors lose five wickets within a span of just 35 runs. 

For New Zealand, their bowlers- Jess Kerr, Amelia Kerr and Hayley Jensen picked up two wickets each. Tahuhu and Davine bagged one wicket each.

Later, India’s Simran Bahadur hit two boundaries to score 10 runs off 6 balls but her efforts went in vain as her team eventually could reach a total of 137 runs losing 8 wickets in 20 overs and face a defeat by 18 runs. 

New Zealand’s Tahuhu received the Player of the Match award for her match-winning all-round efforts.