Mithali Raj
Mithali Raj. Image: Twitter

India women’s team skipper Mithali Raj said the collapse of top-order was the reason for their defeat to New Zealand on Thursday. India lost to the Sophie Devine-led New Zealand side by 62 runs at the Seddon Park in Hamilton in their second match of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022.

Indian all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar picked four wickets as the Indian bowlers collectively did a decent job to restrict the hosts to a moderate score of 260/9 in the first innings.

India lost Smriti Mandhana (6) and Deepti Sharma (5) in the first ten overs with Yastika Bhatia, who replaced Shafali Verma in this game, had a stagnant start to her first match in World Cup as she made 28 off 59 balls before she was caught by Frances Mackay off Lea Tahuhu’s bowling.

We didn’t have a batter who can take it deep: Mithali Raj

Although Harmanpreet Kaur hammered 20 runs to New Zealand pacer Jess Kerr in the 44th over, the required run rate was above 14 runs/over and India just had three wickets left. Harmanpreet soon departed in the quest of playing big shots and very soon India’s innings folded up on 198 as the White Ferns won by 62 runs.

Read More  RCB Playing 11 vs KKR- IPL 2024, Match 10
Harmanpreet Kaur
Harmanpreet Kaur. Image: Twitter

Mithali said her team could have done better in the chase but acknowledged the brilliance of the opposition bowlers with their plans.

“We thought it was chaseable but provided we had the top order going. But back-to-back wickets put a lot of pressure because we didn’t have a batter who can take it deep,” Mithali said at the post-match presentation ceremony. 

“There was bounce and good carry off the surface but it was not a tough strip to bat on. Their seamers were hitting the right areas with the bounce, but it wasn’t unplayable and we could have done better,” she added.

Our bowlers have done well: Mithali Raj

Mithali appreciated the efforts of the Indian bowlers for keeping the White Ferns 10-20 runs short in their innings.

India women cricket team
India women cricket team. Image: Twitter

“Our bowlers have done well today and earlier as well. After the early wickets we got, the way they had a partnership I thought they’d get around 270-280. There was bounce and it got slower in the second innings,” Raj said. 

India women’s cricket team will play their next match against West Indies on March 12 while the hosts will take on their neighbours Australia on March 13.

Also Read: ICC Women’s World Cup 2022: Mithali Raj Equals Sachin Tendulkar’s Elite World Cup Record

Read More  RCB vs KKR Match Prediction- Who Will Win Today’s IPL Match? IPL 2024, Match 10