ICC Women’s World Cup: New Zealand Women’s Defeated Indian Women’s

67 runs in the first 15 overs cost India a chance to overcome hosts New Zealand and begin a winning streak at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022. India were bowled out for 198 in 46.4 overs, losing by 62 runs in their second match of the tournament at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Thursday.

Harmanpreet Kaur looked like her old self, smashing 71 off 63 balls after a slow start, but it wasn’t enough as India paid the price for a poor start, scoring only 50 runs in the first 20 overs. Captain Mihali Raj and opener Yastika Bhatia showed little real desire after losing in-form Smriti Mandhana for 6 in the sixth over of the chase.

New Zealand’s bowlers performed their strategies flawlessly, as Lea Tahuhu starred with three wickets in ten overs, conceding only 17 runs and bowling two maidens. Amelia Kerr, a leg-spinner, took three key wickets, including Mithali’s, to add to her first-inning fifty.

Yastika scored 28 runs off 59 balls, while Mithali Raj scored 31 off 56 balls. unable to get started as their unusual alliance cost India the momentum they needed to chase 261. As doubts were raised about their strategy, the absence of intent to even rotate the strike was surprising.

Yastika was bowled out by Tahuhu in the 20th over, and India then lost Mithali and Richa Ghosh (0) in the same over to Amelia Kerr. Despite Jhulan Goswami’s support on the eve of the match against New Zealand, India decided to remove teenage batter Shafali Verma after one dismal effort in the opener against Pakistan.

Harmanpreet Kaur delivered a few strong strokes at the end, but the asking price had risen. While attempting the impossible, the star hitter was out for 71 to Amelia.

Jhulan Goswami scored 15 runs  and Sneh Rana scored 18, but India fell far short of the goal.