New Zealand Crush India by 58 Runs in ICC Women's T20 World Cup Opener

Dubai – In a stunning performance, New Zealand defeated India by 58 runs in their opening match of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, held on Friday in Dubai. Led by Rosemary Mair’s four-wicket haul, the White Ferns restricted India to just 102 runs while defending a target of 161. The Indian batting lineup crumbled, with no batter managing to cross the 20-run mark.

India's Batting Collapse

Chasing 161, India’s innings got off to a poor start. Eden Carson dismissed openers Shafali Verma (2) and Smriti Mandhana (12 off 13 balls) early, leaving India struggling at 28/2 in just 4.4 overs.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur attempted to steady the innings but could only manage 13 runs from 11 balls before being trapped LBW by Mair. India’s top order was back in the pavilion at 42/3 by the end of the powerplay, with Jemimah Rodrigues (6*) and Richa Ghosh (1*) at the crease.

India reached the 50-run mark in 7.4 overs, but the middle order couldn’t build any substantial partnerships. Lea Tahuhu removed Rodrigues (13) and Ghosh (12 off 19), leaving India reeling at 70/5 in 11 overs.

Arundhati Reddy was next to fall, caught for 1 off Mair’s bowling. India slumped further, losing Deepti Sharma (13) to Tahuhu and Pooja Vastrakar (8) to Amelia Kerr. Mair claimed her fourth wicket, and India’s innings folded at 102 in 19 overs. Mair finished with figures of 4/19, while Tahuhu took 3/15, and Carson chipped in with two wickets.

New Zealand’s Strong Start

Earlier, New Zealand posted a competitive total of 160/4, thanks to a brilliant half-century by captain Sophie Devine. Openers Georgia Plimmer and Suzie Bates gave New Zealand a flying start, reaching 55/0 by the end of the powerplay. The pair put on 67 runs before Reddy dismissed Bates for 27.

Plimmer followed soon after, falling to Asha Shobhana for 34 off 23 balls. At 67/2 in 8.1 overs, Devine took charge of the innings. Despite losing Amelia Kerr, Devine kept the scoreboard ticking with boundaries, completing her fourth ICC Women’s T20 World Cup fifty.

Brooke Halliday added quick runs, hitting three boundaries in the 18th over. Renuka Singh broke the 46-run partnership by dismissing Halliday for 16. Devine remained unbeaten on 57 off 36 balls, helping New Zealand reach 160/4 in 20 overs.

Renuka Singh was India’s best bowler, taking 2/27 in her four overs, while Shobhana and Reddy picked up a wicket each.

India will look to bounce back in their next match, but New Zealand has certainly set the tone for their T20 World Cup campaign with this commanding victory.