NEW DELHI: The frustration was clear on India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and her staff after their hopes of reaching the knockouts of the ICC Ladies’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 troublesome problem in opposition to arch-rivals Pakistan.Pakistan are using excessive on confidence after a cushty victory over Sri Lanka of their opening recreation.
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India’s subsequent match in opposition to Pakistan, whom they’ve crushed 12 occasions in 15 encounters, is essential. Though India have a powerful historic document in opposition to Pakistan, they can not afford to be complacent.
Former India captain Anjum Chopra believes the strain can be on India, however Harmanpreet and her staff know the right way to flip issues round.
“Harmanpreet alone is just not underneath strain. Harman, as a participant and captain, has been in such eventualities and conditions earlier than. I do not suppose she can be underneath strain, however the gamers within the staff who haven’t carried out to their skills or underperformed within the final recreation should be feeling the strain and should be fascinated about how they will flip issues round,” Anjum instructed TimesofIndia.com in an unique interview.
“Everybody can be pondering of their respective corners about how they will carry out higher and put India’s marketing campaign again on monitor. Everybody within the staff must pitch in aggressively, sharpen their expertise, and be prepared for the following recreation 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 real looking 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 troublesome group, there’s a variety of strain. Within the course of, you win some and also you lose some. We knew that the group was robust. Each single staff within the World Cup is aggressive. You simply have to imagine 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 staff now to enter the knockouts and stay within the contest. If New Zealand had misplaced their first match, they might have been underneath strain. Equally, India are underneath immense strain after shedding their opening recreation to New Zealand. The strain can be on India. On the finish of the day, it is the World Cup; the strain must be there. It is not 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 have to win however should achieve this by substantial margins to enhance their internet run fee (NRR), particularly if the qualification race tightens.
In addition to 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 focusing on only one opposition; it’s important to beat many groups to succeed in the semis after which beat the most effective to win the ultimate. I agree there’s a lot at stake when it is India vs Pakistan. Followers count on lots. There are feelings. As a participant or captain, it’s not only one staff you need to carry out in opposition to—it’s important to beat each single staff,” Anjum mentioned.
“Sure, the strain can be there, however if you wish to enter the knockouts, you want to take a look at issues in a different way, whether or not it is Pakistan or Australia or every other staff. India have to go along with a greater plan in opposition to Pakistan. They should enhance their recreation 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 outstanding unbeaten 57 off 36 balls by skipper Sophie Devine.
In response, India’s batting collapsed early, with wickets tumbling at common intervals as they have been bowled out for 102 runs.
“I do not suppose something went proper for India. From the very first over until the tip, they have been taking part in catch-up. They have been stunned 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 glorious cricket. They did not enable India to come back 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 properly. They did not take up the problem and failed. Sure, the bowlers did not have their day, however the batters may have accomplished their job, they usually faltered. Nothing went proper for them,” she mentioned.
