India Women could not start the three-T20I series as they lost in the high-scoring encounter by 38 runs at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. While the bowlers faltered in the middle and slog overs despite two wickets in the first over, it was the fielding department that let the hosts down. They dropped easy catches and misfielded as Nat Sciver-Brunt and Danielle Wyatt played fearlessly and piled on runs. While the fielding was below par, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was not too critical of it as she said that playing in an international game after a long time may have had an effect.
“I was expecting good fielding, but when you are away from international game, pressure could get to you,” she said in the post-match presentation.
Harmanpreet said that the bowlers did not follow their plans. But she took it as a learning and necessary loss in preparation for the T20 World Cup next year at home. She also backed the newcomers to do well in the series.
“We didn't follow our plans. New bowlers will learn quickly before heading to T20 World Cup. I know it's a tough game. They are very good batters, they have played good cricket for so many years. We had a slight change in bowling department so we will come back stronger,” the 34-year-old said.
Chasing a target of 198, India could not accelerate in the middle overs despite Shafali Verma in the middle. Losing wickets added more pressure as India could not take the game deep.
“We just needed to back ourselves, we were looking for good start. After a couple of wickets, we had control over the game but the last ten overs didn't quite go to plan,” she concluded.
Earlier, head coach Amol Muzumdar had emphasised on the need to not compromise on the fielding and fitness aspect of the game. Apart from Jemimah Rodrigues, no Indian fielder was clinical as England batters bossed around.
India will now face Heather Knight-led England on November 9 at the same venue.
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