The India Women’s Team succumbed to a 58-run loss against New Zealand in their opening game of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. And now this has made it even more difficult for Harmanpreet Kaur and Co to make it to the semi-finals of the tournament. Team India has 3 more group-stage games and would need to win 2 games by a huge margin if they plan to make it to the knockouts.
India Women’s Cricket Team headed into the game against the White Ferns with a 9-4 head-to-head record. But a complete lackluster performance saw Team India surrendering to the Kiwis. And now with a −2.632 run rate, things look bleak for Harmanpreet Kaur and Co.
What India needs to do?
India up next would be facing arch-rivals Pakistan and Sri Lanka. In their bid to remain alive in the tournament, India needs to win both their games by huge margins. While the match against Australia is the hardest, India still can make it to the knockouts despite a loss against the Aussies.
But then, the loss needs to be narrow and not a thrashing. In an ideal scenario, India is expected to win their next 2 games and try their best to etch out a win against the muti-time champions.
India for their next matches would have to showcase their full mettle. Against the Kiwis, India failed to show up, neither with the bat nor with the ball. Captain, Harmanpreet was the highest run-getter after managing to score just 15 runs. But India can’t expect things to be breezy.
Pakistan are placed second after their win against Sri Lanka. On the other hand, Australia will take on Sri Lanka in their next game. Thus to reach the top 2 spots in Group A, India needs to win their next 2 games by a huge margin to improve their NRR. And in their final match against Australia, a win would really help India reach the semi-finals.