Mithali sits out, Smriti’s record knock in vain
Smriti Mandhana remained an unstoppable juggernaut with a record-smashing half century but the India women’s cricket team failed to make it count, going down by 23 runs in the opening T20 International against New Zealand here Wednesday.
Mithali Raj, who captains the ODI side, was dropped from the match.
Mandhana held the record for the fastest fifty by an Indian before the match and she bettered it by a ball during her 58-run knock at the WestPac Stadium. The 22-year-old faced 34 balls in all but reached the 50-mark off 24 deliveries.
However, New Zealand pacer Lea Tahuhu played a decisive role with three scalps off her four overs to derail India’s pursuit of a 160-run target which was going smoothly till the time Mandhana was at the crease.
India eventually folded for 136 in 19.1 overs. Leg-spinner Amelia Kerr (2/28) clinched the crucial wickets of Mandhana and Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur to wreck the visitors’ chances. Off-spinner Leigh Kasperek also picked up a couple of wickets.
Earlier, opening batsman Sophie Devine smashed a 48-ball 62 in an enterprising innings to take New Zealand women to a challenging 159 for 4 from 20 overs after being put into bat.
“Obviously we didn’t get the start we wanted but it was pretty good to come back and win. It’s just about keeping calm,” said Tahuhu, who was adjudged player of the match for her performance.
Harmanpreet, on the other hand, blamed India’s loss on a poor batting effort, especially in the last 10 overs.
“I think bowlers did really well as we expected. We didn’t bat well in the last 10 overs. That is only area where we are always struggling,” she pointed out.
Asked about Mithali’s absence and whether her experience would have come handy, Harmanpreet said, “We are looking to give chance to young girls, that is the only reason.”
Brief scores: New Zealand: 159/4 in 20 overs (S Devine 62; D Sharma 1/19) bt India 136 in 19.1 overs (S Mandhana 58; L Tahuhu 3/20)
by 23 runs.