Sophie Devine, Rosemary Mair shine as New Zealand crush India in Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

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In Match 4 of Group A at the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, New Zealand registered a convincing 58-run victory over India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday (October 4). Chasing a target of 161 set by New Zealand, India were bowled out for 102 in 19 overs. Sophie Devine‘s brilliant knock of 57* and Rosemary Mair’s four-wicket haul were pivotal in New Zealand’s dominant performance.

New Zealand’s strong batting performance

New Zealand set a competitive target of 160, thanks to a collective batting effort. Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer provided a strong start with scores of 27 and 34, respectively. Captain Devine played a key role with a quickfire 57* off 36 balls, hitting seven boundaries and ensuring a solid finish for her team. Amelia Kerr contributed 13, while Brooke Halliday added 16 runs in the death overs. Their aggressive approach helped the White Ferns reach a challenging total despite India’s attempts to slow them down with wickets at regular intervals.

India’s struggle with early wickets

India’s chase began poorly, losing Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana within the first five overs. Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues tried to rebuild but failed to convert their starts, adding only 15 and 13 runs, respectively. The Indian batting order collapsed under the pressure of New Zealand’s disciplined bowling, with key players struggling to form partnerships. The loss of early wickets proved to be a critical setback, making the chase an uphill task for the Indian side.

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Rosemary Mair and Lea Tahuhu’s lethal bowling

New Zealand’s bowling attack, led by Mair (4/19) and Lea Tahuhu (3/15), dismantled India’s batting lineup. Mair’s brilliant spell saw her pick four crucial wickets, breaking India’s middle-order resistance. Tahuhu was equally effective, taking three wickets, including the dangerous Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma. Their combined efforts restricted India to a below-par total, as no Indian batter could settle at the crease for long.

Sophie Devine’s leadership and match-winning knock

Devine’s captaincy stood out in this game, both with the bat and in the field by grabbing three catches too. Her aggressive 57* off 36 deliveries was the cornerstone of New Zealand’s innings, guiding her team to a solid total. Devine not only led from the front with the bat but also orchestrated effective field placements, ensuring that the Indian batters could not find any rhythm. Her all-around performance earned her the Player of the Match award, as New Zealand cruised to a 58 runs victory.

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

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