NEW DELHI: The frustration was clear on India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and her group after their hopes of reaching the knockouts of the ICC Girls’s T20 World Cup took a extreme blow with a 58-run defeat in opposition to New Zealand on the Dubai Worldwide Stadium on Friday.
India, who entered the event as one of many title favorites, now face a tricky problem in opposition to arch-rivals Pakistan.Pakistan are using excessive on confidence after a cushty victory over Sri Lanka of their opening sport.
Girls’s T20 WC | Schedule | Factors Desk
India’s subsequent match in opposition to Pakistan, whom they’ve overwhelmed 12 instances in 15 encounters, is essential. Though India have a powerful historic report in opposition to Pakistan, they can’t afford to be complacent.
Former India captain Anjum Chopra believes the strain shall be on India, however Harmanpreet and her group know tips on how to flip issues round.
“Harmanpreet alone is just not beneath strain. Harman, as a participant and captain, has been in such situations and conditions earlier than. I do not assume she shall be beneath strain, however the gamers within the group who haven’t carried out to their talents or underperformed within the final sport have to be feeling the strain and have to be serious about how they’ll flip issues round,” Anjum advised TimesofIndia.com in an unique interview.
“Everybody shall be pondering of their respective corners about how they’ll carry out higher and put India’s marketing campaign again on monitor. Everybody within the group must pitch in aggressively, sharpen their expertise, and be prepared for the following sport in opposition to Pakistan,” the previous skipper mentioned.
India are in Group A alongside Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand.
India now should win all three of their remaining group-stage matches—in opposition to Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Australia—to have any lifelike likelihood of qualifying for the knockouts.
Anjum emphasised the necessity for India to place their dismal defeat in opposition to New Zealand behind them and begin afresh.
“In tournaments just like the World Cup, particularly when you find yourself in a tricky group, there may be loads of strain. Within the course of, you win some and also you lose some. We knew that the group was robust. Each single group within the World Cup is aggressive. You simply must consider in your self and use your playing cards—your gamers—properly. Sure, India could make a comeback,” Anjum mentioned.
“They should neglect what occurred in opposition to New Zealand and are available all weapons blazing of their remaining matches. They should guarantee they beat each single group now to enter the knockouts and stay within the contest. If New Zealand had misplaced their first match, they’d have been beneath strain. Equally, India are beneath immense strain after shedding their opening sport to New Zealand. The strain shall be on India. On the finish of the day, it is the World Cup; the strain must be there. It isn’t such as you come into the event and simply take the trophy residence,” she mentioned.
India’s present internet run fee of -2.900, severely impacted by their loss to New Zealand, means they not solely must win however should achieve this by substantial margins to enhance their internet run fee (NRR), particularly if the qualification race tightens.
Apart from Pakistan, India will face Sri Lanka and the formidable Australia of their remaining group matches. The highest two groups from every group will advance to the semifinals.
Anjum harassed that India wants a greater technique in opposition to Pakistan to revive their marketing campaign.
“You do not come into a contest concentrating on only one opposition; it’s a must to beat many groups to succeed in the semis after which beat the perfect to win the ultimate. I agree there’s a lot at stake when it is India vs Pakistan. Followers count on loads. There are feelings. As a participant or captain, it’s not only one group you wish to carry out in opposition to—it’s a must to beat each single group,” Anjum mentioned.
“Sure, the strain shall be there, however if you wish to enter the knockouts, you might want to take a look at issues in a different way, whether or not it is Pakistan or Australia or another group. India must go together with a greater plan in opposition to Pakistan. They should enhance their sport plan,” she mentioned.
‘NOTHING WENT RIGHT FOR INDIA’
India’s NRR took a heavy blow after their 58-run loss to New Zealand.
New Zealand had misplaced 10 matches in a row coming into this World Cup, however they dominated India in a one-sided contest to get their marketing campaign off to a flying begin.
Opting to bat first, New Zealand posted a difficult 160 for 4, due to an excellent unbeaten 57 off 36 balls by skipper Sophie Devine.
In response, India’s batting collapsed early, with wickets tumbling at common intervals as they had been bowled out for 102 runs.
“I do not assume something went proper for India. From the very first over until the top, they had been taking part in catch-up. They had been shocked by New Zealand’s onslaught and method. It seemed like, and it was seen, that India did not have any plan of motion aside from anticipating that New Zealand would lose wickets or get out for a low rating. There was no Plan B for India. New Zealand performed wonderful cricket. They did not enable India to return into the competition,” Anjum mentioned.
“New Zealand’s 160 was not a troublesome goal to chase. India have chased that previously, however the Indian batters did not carry out effectively. They did not take up the problem and failed. Sure, the bowlers did not have their day, however the batters may have achieved their job, and so they faltered. Nothing went proper for them,” she mentioned.
