India suffered a shock 58-run defeat by New Zealand in their opening match of the Women’s T20 World Cup in Dubai.
The White Ferns were on a dismal run of form, losing their 10 previous T20s, but came out with admirable aggression from the outset by posting an imposing 160-4.
Openers Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer blasted 67 in 7.3 overs, with the former dropped on 18 as India’s fielding wilted in response to the explosive start.
India, one of the pre-tournament contenders, fought back strongly in the middle overs only for New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine to strike a counter-attacking 57 not out at the death.
In reply, India buckled under the run-rate pressure, slipping to 75-6 and then 102 all out in the face of impressively disciplined New Zealand bowling, with seamer Rosemary Mair’s career-best 4-19 leading the way.
Five India batters reached double figures but none made more than captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s 15 as the wickets tumbled in pursuit of much-needed boundaries throughout.
New Zealand’s own innings stuttered slightly after Bates and Plimmer fell in consecutive overs and Melie Kerr only managed 13, but Devine’s knock proved the difference as her strong finish helped her side take all the momentum into the defence of their total.
