Queenstown, Feb 9: Batting let India down as they suffered an 18-run defeat to hosts New Zealand in the one-off women’s T20 International here on Wednesday.
Senior opener and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana did not play and her absence was felt badly as India fell short by 18 runs while chasing 156 for a win.
Rookie Yastika Bhatia, who opened in place of Mandhana along with young Shafali Verma, did reasonably well with a run-a-ball 26 but India never looked like they could chase down the target against an impressive New Zealand bowling attack. The opening stand was worth 41 runs in 6.3 overs and that was the highest partnership for India.
Shafali was not at her best as she contributed just 13 runs from 14 balls with the help of two boundaries. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who made 12 from 13 balls, also looked off colour.
The onus was then on the lower order to give a push for the target. Inexperienced Sabbhineni Meghana, who top-scored for India, did well with a 30-ball 37, which had six fours in it, stitching 34 runs with Richa Gosh (12) for the fourth wicket. That stand was the last flicker of hope for India and once Meghana was out, there was a batting collapse and the visiting side could only reach 137 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs.
When Meghana was out, India needed 55 runs from 5.1 overs which proved a tough ask for the lower order.
Jess Kerr, Amelia Kerr and Hayley Jensen took two wickets apiece for New Zealand, while Lea Tahuhu and Sophie Devine got one each.
Earlier, experienced all-rounder Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar scalped two wickets apiece to help India restrict New Zealand to 155 for 5 after Harmanpreet opted to field after winning the toss. Vastrakar was tidy with her medium pace as she conceded just 16 runs from her four overs. (PTI)
