India Women won the home WODI series against New Zealand Women after the home batters dominantly chased the 233-run target in the third WODI. While most of the Indian batters performed well, opener and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana recorded the highest WODI centuries by an India Women's batter. 

New Zealand Women scored 232 runs after winning the toss. In reply, India Women comfortably chased the target in 45.2 overs after losing four wickets. India Women won the three-match WODI series by 2-1. 

New Zealand Women had a weak start

New Zealand Women were struggling at 36/3 as Suzie Bates (4), Lauren Down (1), and captain Sophie Devine (9) lost their wickets in the single-digit scores. Although Georgia Plimmer and Brooke Halliday set a 30-run partnership for the fourth wicket to stabilise the innings, Plimmer was out on 39 off 67 balls with six fours. 

Brooke Halliday was the star in the first innings

While the middle-order batters were battling, Brooke Halliday was batting strongly on the other end. After completing her half-century in 72 balls, she batted aggressively to move the scoreboard faster. Her 86 off 96 balls guided New Zealand Women to set a challenging target for the hosts. Isabella Gaze (25) and Lea Tahuhu (24 not out off 14) also had some useful cameos. 

Deepti Sharma took three wickets

Among the Indian bowlers, Deepti Sharma (3/39) took three wickets and Priya Mishra (2/41) bagged two wickets. Also, Renuka Singh (1/49) and Saima Thakor (1/44) picked up one wicket each. 

Smriti Mandhana and Yastika Bhatia controlled the starting period

In reply, India Women lost the opener Shafali Verma very early, as she was dismissed after scoring 12 on 11 balls. However, another opener Smriti Mandhana finally found her form, while Yastika Bhatia provided solid support from the other end. Mandhana and Bhatia had a crucial 76-run partnership for the second wicket, which put the game in the hosts' favour.

Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur set a solid partnership

After the skipper Sophie Devine dismissed Bhatia for 35 runs, India Women dominated with Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur's third wicket partnership. The visitors failed to control the run flow as the hosts were comfortably chasing the target.

Mandhana and Kaur had a 117-run partnership for the third wicket. After completing her 50 runs in 73 balls, Mandhana completed her eighth WODI century in 121 balls. On the other hand, Kaur completed her half-century in 54 balls. 

Mandhana was dismissed after scoring 100 off 122 balls with 10 fours. Jemimah Rodrigues was in a hurry in the chasing as she scored 22 off 18 balls before losing her wicket on the scores level. Kaur ultimately finished the game with a fantastic four as she was not out on 59 runs off 63 balls with six fours. 

Mandhana broke Mithali Raj's record and reached the world record

By surpassing Mithali Raj's seventh WODI century, Mandhana set a new record for the most WODI centuries by an Indian cricketer with eight centuries. 

It was Mandhana's third WODI century at home, and she scored all these centuries in 2024. While she is the first Indian to score three WODI centuries in a calendar year, she also holds the joint record for most WODI centuries in a calendar year. Mandhana became the eighth player to record three WODI centuries in a calendar year. 

India's women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur makes her return to the lineup for the second ODI against New Zealand on October 27 at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. Harmanpreet, who missed the series opener due to a niggle, reclaims her role as captain, with Smriti Mandhana filling in during her absence. India leads the three-match ODI series 1-0 after a solid 59-run victory in the first game. With Harmanpreet back and promising new talent Priya Mishra making her ODI debut, India looks set to challenge New Zealand again.

Harmanpreet Kaur's comeback after injury

Following India’s early exit from the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, Harmanpreet Kaur’s return is much anticipated. The captain had to sit out the first ODI, allowing Smriti Mandhana to step in as captain. Her comeback is expected to boost the Indian side as they aim to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. The match also brings excitement with the debut of wrist-spinner Priya Mishra, known for her recent standout performances.

Rising Star: Priya Mishra makes her debut

India has handed the debut cap to wrist-spinner Priya Mishra, whose remarkable five-wicket haul for India A in Australia recently caught the selectors' attention. In that match, Priya recorded figures of 5/14 in just five overs, leading her team to a 171-run victory while defending a target of 243. Her recent performance and promise as a wicket-taker make her a strong addition to the playing XI. To accommodate Harmanpreet and Priya, Dayalan Hemalatha and Renuka Singh were rested.

In an intense match, Priya Mishra showcased her skills with the ball, securing key moments for India. After a brilliant start, she claimed her first international wicket by dismissing Halliday, thanks to a stunning catch by Radha Yadav, who ran back, dived, and took it mid-air, surprising everyone. Mishra also caused a run-out earlier, getting Lauren Down out after deflecting a powerful drive with her fingertips. Despite a few missed fielding chances and boundary hits, including a fierce sweep from Green and a clean 50 from Bates, Mishra’s efforts kept the pressure on New Zealand, highlighting her growing impact in the team.

See Also: PCB announces central contracts with only two names in Category A

Changes in New Zealand’s lineup

The White Ferns has also reshuffled their lineup due to a major setback as Melie Kerr, their star performer in the Women’s T20 World Cup and Player of the Tournament, suffered a quadriceps tear. Kerr’s absence prompted the inclusion of Fran Jonas and Lea Tahuhu in place of Kerr and Molly Penfold. Kerr’s all-round prowess will be sorely missed as she finished the recent T20 World Cup with record-breaking 15 wickets.

India took control of the series in the first ODI, defeating New Zealand by 59 runs. Setting a target of 228, India kept the pressure on the White Ferns, with Kerr shining in a valiant effort, claiming four wickets for 42 runs and scoring an unbeaten 25 off 23 balls. However, her efforts weren't enough, as New Zealand fell short in their chase. India now seeks to extend their lead, with New Zealand hoping to bounce back as Sophie Devine chose to bat first in the second ODI.

New Zealand have set a challenging total of 259/9 in their 50 overs, putting India in for a tough chase on a pitch where slower deliveries have proven tricky. Bates and Plimmer gave New Zealand a strong start with an 87-run opening partnership, with Bates reaching her half-century. Deepti Sharma broke the stand, sparking a phase where India took three quick wickets for just 41 runs. Later, Sophie Devine ramped up the scoring with powerful boundaries, finding support from Green to help New Zealand finish with a solid score. India will need to bat smartly to chase down this target.

India Women (Playing XI): Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Yastika Bhatia(w), Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Saima Thakor, Priya Mishra

New Zealand Women (Playing XI): Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Lauren Down, Sophie Devine(c), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze(w), Jess Kerr, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson, Fran Jonas

The 2024 Women's T20 World Cup has ended on a high note, with New Zealand being the triumphant side as they got their hands on its first-ever tournament title. This league has seen the clash of the best ten teams across the women's cricket ecosystem.

But, this edition has seen some shocking, unpleasing performances from those campaigners who have been promising in the long run. After a dismal streak of game display, here's the Flop Playing XI of the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup. 

1.Smriti Mandhana (India)

Smriti Mandhana, the flamboyant left-handed opener from India, had a forgettable tournament. After leading the Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad to their first Women's Premier League title, many expected she could apply the same calibre in this intense tournament. But scoring a mere 75 runs in four innings with one half-century to her name, the No.5 batter wasn't up to the mark and was criticized for her timid approach throughout this forgettable T20 World Cup.

2. Chamari Athapathatu (Sri Lanka) 

Chamari Athapathatu was prominent in the recent timelines of the Women's Cricket forum. Leading her side to win the Women's T20 World Cup Qualifiers and the Asia Cup, everyone had higher expectations from her to perform aggressively with her bat and captaincy. She has made 27 runs in just four matches, which didn't help convert her heroic run in this tournament.

3. Harmanpreet Kaur (India) (Captain)

Though Harmanpreet Kaur has been pretty good with the willow and made some crucial runs by scoring 150 runs at an average of 150 in just four games, the Indian captain did display a disappointing stint as a captain. Primarily due to unclear decision-making, lack of communication and mediocre lead-up to the emerging players, which attributed Kaur to be the captain for this Flop Playing XI of the tournament.

4. Heather Knight (England)

Heather Knight was one of the players to check out from the English side, thanks to her associations with the team for quite a long period of time. Being a reliable all-rounder, she couldn't convert it into crucial runs and wickets during the recent tournament. Knight scored just 27 runs in four matches, summing up her poor outing in the competitive league.   

5. Jemimah Rodrigues (India)

Jemimah Rodrigues, another Indian player on the women's World Cup flop list, had a perplexing campaign in which her batting position was never established. She was shifted up and down the order throughout the tournament, scoring only 68 runs in 4 innings.

6. Marizanne Kapp (South Africa)

Marizanne Kapp had a dismal campaign with the bat and the ball as South Africa advanced to the final. Kapp scored just 90 runs in six innings. Prominent for her lethal and hostile pace, Kapp took just a mere five wickets in six games. Kapp's poor performance was a significant factor in South Africa's defeat in the final.

Also Read: Women's T20 World Cup 2024: Best Playing XI of the Tournament

7. Richa Ghosh (India) (Wicketkeeper)

Richa Ghosh was expected to perform admirably for India with the bat and behind the stumps, but she performed horribly. Her faulty record-keeping assured India's poor performance on the pitch. Ghosh only managed 19 runs with the bat in four innings.

8. Fahima Khatun (Bangladesh)

Fahima Khatun from the Bangladesh side was expected to turn the tables with her spinning ability, but it didn't work in her arsenal's way. She was able to have four wickets on her hat in five matches, with a decent spinner's economy of over six.

9. Deepti Sharma (India)

Indian All-Rounder Deepti Sharma also disappointed fans with her performance, scoring only a bleak 49 runs in four games. In the critical encounters, Deepti wasn't up to the mark and didn't prove to be instrumental in such scenarios. She wasn't very appealing with her spinning abilities, as she took just four wickets in four games.

10. Rachel Slater (Scotland)

During the Women's T20 World Cup Qualifiers, Scotland's quickie, Rachel Slater, was meant to be promising, as she was the highest wicket-taker of that league. But, on the game's main stage, she was disappointed with her pace as she scalped just two wickets in four matches.

11. Ayabonga Khaka (South Africa)

Ayabonga Khaka has been one of the most reliable pacers for the runners-up Proteas side in the long-run aspects. But, based on this tournament, she didn't play much of a pivotal role in changing the game for her side with her quick pace. Khaka was able to scalp a mere four wickets in six games, which doesn't act synonymous, keeping her experience in mind.

India failed to bring their best game to the UAE and was eliminated from the Women's T20 World Cup 2024. India was projected to advance from the "Group of Death," which included reigning champions Australia and two-time finalists New Zealand, developing Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. However, Harmanpreet Kaur's team was only able to win the matches that were expected of them, and they were unable to compete with Australia and New Zealand.

Citing several reasons behind such a forgettable run, the Indian Women's side turned out to be a disappointment yet again, especially when they possessed the calibre to end up in the game's final stages. Here are the three probable significant factors behind the Indian women's side group-stage end of the 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup.

Time for a captain swap?

One of the primary reasons behind such a downfall would be Harmanpreet Kaur's mediocre captaincy effort. Kaur has been in charge of the Indian squad since being appointed in 2016. While the unit has been a regular late-season fixture in competitions, including a few final appearances, team management may contemplate a swap ahead of the important ODI World Cup in 2025 happening in India.

From juggling around the No.3 spot in their batting unit to not displaying a robust game calibre of the game by the youngsters, the captain acts as a face behind such responsibilities. Though she would be captaining the team in the upcoming bilateral series against New Zealand, BCCI can make a crucial decision about a captain change, especially when they have young and promising contenders in their arsenal for this spot. 

Lacklustre performance across all the departments.

Another reason for the Indian Women's Team's underperformance was the lack of a standout display from all cricketing departments. Experienced hitters like Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur, among others, failed to provide India an advantage with the bat, losing wickets at critical periods of their innings throughout the tournament. Shafali Verma's flamboyant attitude as an opener also lacked effectiveness.

While misfields and lost catches have been regular for the Women in Blue recently, the opposition were automatically granted an advantage, which also cost India the matches. Even the bowler's side wasn't able to unleash their X-factor, as they conceded a lot of runs during the death overs.

Also Read: Women's T20 World Cup 2024: Final, South Africa vs New Zealand - Key players to watch

Complete chaos with no intent and clarity.

As mentioned earlier, the Indian Women's team's performance was marred by a lack of clarity about player roles and tactics. This lack of intent and strategy was the most evident issue with India's campaign. It's about time the team got a reality check. To remedy the gaps in preparation, execution, and strategy, players and coaches must reflect, accept responsibility for their failures, and work harder.

India's Women's T20 World Cup performance raises further issues about the team's administration and leadership. The team's chances of healing from this painful event improve the sooner they admit their mistakes. India must prepare for both white-ball versions, with the impending 2025 Women's World Cup scheduled to happen amongst their home fans.

Former India Women’s captain Mithali Raj is unhappy with the Indian Women's performances in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the United Arab Emirates. 

Harmanpreet Kaur-led India Women disappointed in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, where they finished in the third place of Group A with four points after four matches. They ultimately failed to qualify for the semifinals. 

India Women started the tournament with a massive 58-run defeat against New Zealand Women. While the White Ferns scored 160 runs, India Women only managed to score 102 runs. 

Although India Women comfortably beat Pakistan Women and Sri Lanka Women by six wickets and 82 runs, respectively, they suffered a close nine-run defeat against the six-time champions Australia Women.

Since 2016, Harmanpreet Kaur has been leading the Indian team. While she has already led India Women in four Women’s T20 World Cups, the latest tournament has seen the worst performances. In three previous tournaments, India Women qualified at least for the semifinals, including finishing as the runners-up in the 2020 edition. 

I would go for a young captain: Mithali Raj

Mithali Raj feels that the Indian team needs a young captain, and it is the right time to change the leadership.  

Raj told PTI, "If the selectors decide to change, I would go for a young captain. This is the time [to change]; if you delay more then we have another [ODI] World Cup on the horizon [October 2025]. If you are not doing it now, then don't do it later. Then it is too close to the World Cup.

Smriti Mandhana has been playing the vice-captain role since 2016. However, Raj feels that Jemimah Rodrigues will be a better captaincy option due to her young age. The former India Women’s captain is very impressed with the 24-year-old middle-order batter. 

Raj said, "Smriti is there but I think someone like Jemimah [Rodrigues], she's 24, she's young, she will serve you more. And [she] is someone who I feel on the field gets that energy. She speaks to everybody. I was very impressed by her in this tournament.”

While Kaur was the leading run-scorer for India Women in the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup with 150 runs in four innings, including two half-centuries, Rodrigues played some cameo roles with the bat. 

Raj continued her support for Rodrigues, "Despite playing those cameo roles, she never could convert her starts, but [she is] someone who really made an effort to build a momentum if there was no momentum; and if there was momentum, she tried to carry that momentum [forward]."

We were not quick enough to adjust

While the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup has been playing on slow pitches in the United Arab Emirates, Raj blamed India’s failure to adjust the conditions. 

Raj claimed, "Surprisingly, we took time to adjust to the slowness of the wicket. Unlike an ODI World Cup, it is a short tournament, you don't have a lot of time to adjust to the conditions. Someone like [New Zealand captain] Sophie Devine was able to score that many runs [57 not out] against us and she is not used to playing on slow tracks. We were not quick enough to adjust."

I've not really seen any growth in this team: Mithali Raj

Raj is also disappointed with the slow growth in Indian women’s cricket in recent years. 

The former Indian captain said, "I feel that in the last two-three years, I've not really seen any growth in this team. In the sense, like, I mean, beating the best side is what you always prepare for, but it seems like we are saturated in the sense we are beating other teams, and we are pretty happy in that. Every other team has shown growth despite limited depth, a case in point being South Africa. We have not."

Raj believed that India should experiment with the bench against the lower-ranked teams in the recent Asia Cup. Talking about it, she brought up the example of the Indian men’s team process. 

Raj continued, "It didn't seem like it was anywhere closer to... what we got to see in the World Cup. We could have given more opportunities to the bench against lower-ranked teams in Asia Cup, but we didn't. Why does the men's team do well? Immediately after a big series or a big tournament, they try others. If we are talking about depth, then when are we giving them chances?"

India Women's journey in the 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup has come to an unfortunate end, as they officially exited the tournament after securing two wins and two losses. In a competitive group stage, India managed victories against Pakistan and Sri Lanka but faltered in their crucial encounters against New Zealand and Australia. With a total of 4 points and a Net Run Rate (NRR) of 0.322, their campaign fell short of qualifying for the knockout rounds. Harmanpreet Kaur stood out with the bat, amassing 150 runs, while Arundhati Reddy and Renuka Singh made their mark with the ball, finishing as India’s top wicket-takers.

Despite the early exit, the team showcased moments of brilliance, particularly in their emphatic wins against their Asian rivals. Harmanpreet Kaur's consistent form and leadership were pivotal, providing stability at crucial stages. However, the losses to stronger sides like Australia and New Zealand exposed gaps in India's overall performance, especially in handling pressure situations. As the team reflects on their campaign, they will undoubtedly look to build on their strengths and address their weaknesses for future tournaments.

See Also: A Breakdown of India’s Stellar Batting Performance

India Women's Powerplay Struggles in the T20 World Cup

India Women’s performance in the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup's powerplay was marked by inconsistency. In the first three overs, they started well, losing just 1 wicket with a strong average of 66. However, as the powerplay progressed into overs 4-6, their form drastically declined. They lost 5 wickets during this period, and their average dropped to 13.6. This sharp contrast in performance between the early and later part of the powerplay reveals that while India’s opening batters managed to provide stability, the middle order crumbled under pressure.

In comparison, Australia Women faced early setbacks but handled them with far greater composure. Losing 4 wickets in the first three overs, Australia still managed a decent average of 17.5, reflecting their attacking approach. What stands out is their ability to recover, losing only 3 wickets between overs 4-6 while improving their average to 22.67. Australia's approach of stabilizing after a shaky start allowed them to maintain momentum throughout the powerplay, something that India struggled to achieve.

South Africa Women, on the other hand, displayed remarkable consistency across both phases of the powerplay. They lost just 1 wicket in each phase while maintaining exceptional averages of 87 in the first three overs and 80 in the last three. This steady and cautious approach provided South Africa with a solid foundation, enabling them to build competitive totals without risking early collapses. India’s inability to replicate such consistency, especially in the later part of the powerplay, was a key factor in their underperformance.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka Women shared a similar struggle to India. Pakistan lost 2 wickets early on with an average of 19.5 but faced significant issues in overs 4-6, where they lost 8 wickets and their average plummeted to just 5.75. Sri Lanka, too, had a rough start, losing 5 wickets in the first three overs with an average of 7.8, though they managed a slight improvement in the latter part of the powerplay. These teams, much like India, found it difficult to maintain stability throughout the powerplay, making it harder to build competitive scores.

In summary, India's powerplay performance was hampered by a lack of consistency, particularly in the middle overs. Teams like Australia and South Africa showcased the importance of steady play and recovery, especially after early losses, while India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka found themselves unable to preserve their wickets, leading to collapses that ultimately impacted their campaigns. India's middle-order struggles during the powerplay, particularly in overs 4-6, were a significant factor in their early exit from the tournament.

See Also: How did Harmanpreet Kaur dominate the grand stage ?

After winning the toss and electing to bat, India's openers, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, provided a strong foundation with a 98-run partnership. Mandhana showcased her class with a well-crafted half-century but was run out immediately after reaching the milestone, while Verma fell shortly after for 43 off 40 balls. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur then took charge with a blistering unbeaten 50 off 27 deliveries, propelling India to a formidable total of 172/3. In response, Sri Lanka faltered under pressure, handing India a resounding victory and a ticket to the semifinals.

See Also: Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy's T20I return after two years

Harmanpreet Kaur’s Explosive Half-Century Powers India to Victory, Ending Sri Lanka’s World Cup Campaign

India Women produced a clinical performance to knock Sri Lanka out of the Women's T20 World Cup and secure their place in the semifinals with an emphatic 82-run victory. After opting to bat first, India set the tone early, with openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma displaying superb form at the top of the order. Their calculated aggression during the powerplay put the Sri Lankan bowlers on the back foot, and the duo stitched together a commanding 98-run partnership that laid the foundation for India’s innings. Sri Lanka, led by Chamari Athapaththu, struggled to create breakthroughs and prevent the boundaries from flowing.

Mandhana, who looked in sublime touch, brought up her half-century in style but was run out the very next ball. This breakthrough moment for Sri Lanka, however, failed to turn the tide in their favor. Shafali Verma, after a well-compiled 43 off 40 balls, also perished soon after, but India still had momentum on their side. Jemimah Rodrigues contributed briefly before falling in the 17th over, which set the stage for the Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur to take charge at the crease.

Kaur, known for her ability to finish innings with authority, wasted no time in asserting her dominance. Despite Richa Ghosh joining her and struggling to find rhythm, Kaur took on the Sri Lankan bowlers with fierce intent. The final few overs of India's innings saw a barrage of boundaries, as Kaur unleashed her powerful strokes across all parts of the ground. Her aggressive approach yielded 44 runs from the last 22 balls of the innings, with Ghosh managing only six runs in that period, as the Sri Lankan attack failed to contain Kaur's assault.

Sri Lankan bowlers, desperate to stop the onslaught, resorted to attempting yorkers, but their execution was off the mark. Kaur capitalized on their errors, driving and lofting the full-length deliveries at an astonishing strike rate of 213. By the time India’s innings ended at 172/3, Kaur had smashed an unbeaten 52 off just 27 balls, sealing the momentum in India’s favor. Her knock not only earned her the Player of the Match award but also demonstrated the firepower in India's middle order, which had been under some scrutiny earlier in the tournament.

In response, Sri Lanka crumbled under the pressure of chasing a daunting total. The Indian bowlers, riding high on the platform set by their batters, delivered an all-round performance to bundle out Sri Lanka for a paltry total. India’s comprehensive win, their largest in Women’s T20 World Cup history in terms of runs, not only cemented their place in the semifinals but also sent a strong message to their rivals as they continue their hunt for the title.

See Also: India women early dominance against Pakistan women

Team India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has confirmed that captain Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the side against Sri Lanka in their all-important T20 World Cup match. Harmanpreet Kaur, who retired hurt due to neck discomfort during their last match against Pakistan, has recovered and is ready to play as well. However, she had walked off the field while batting on 29 against Pakistan which they won by six wickets.

"She (Harman) is doing fine, and she will be ready for tomorrow's game," Mandhana told reporters on Tuesday.

Concern over Pooja Vastrakar's health

However, concerns are there over the fitness of all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar, who missed the Pakistan game too. Smriti Mandhana gave no definitive update on Vastrakar's health, stating that the medical team is still working on it as well.

"Pooja, I think the medical team is still working on her. So, the update will come only tomorrow during the match. But yeah, I don't think I can say anything at the moment," Mandhana said.

See Also: T20 World Cup 2024: Top 5 captains of the tournament

Moreover, Smriti Mandhana also opened up on the challenging playing conditions in the UAE, where the slow wickets made things difficult for batters. She herself has struggled to score so far as well. However, Team India is set to face Sri Lanka on Wednesday, a team that recently beat them in the Asia Cup final. However, Smriti also opened up on the importance of balancing between pushing for a strong run rate and securing wins in challenging conditions as well.

'Run rate definitely was a factor in the last match' - Smriti Mandhana

"It (run rate) definitely was a factor in the last match, but as I said, the conditions are a lot different to what you expect as a batter. You are probably thinking to get that run rate high, but you have to win the match first—that’s the priority for us," Mandhana explained. "So, it's about balancing what's best for the team. In the last match, I started fine but then later on I consumed a few dot balls, which was a little irritating for me," she added.

"The wicket and ground conditions are a lot different from what we expected when we came here. That’s a big factor in deciding the batting order. The low-scoring nature of the tournament has added to the complexity. Except for the New Zealand match, we haven't seen any team go over 140 runs in the whole tournament, whether it’s a day or night game. That says a lot about the conditions," Smriti Mandhana concluded.

India Women secured a comprehensive 6-wicket victory against Pakistan Women in their 100th T20I match, held in Dubai, marking their first win in the Women's T20 World Cup 2024. After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Pakistan Women struggled to gain momentum. Early breakthroughs in the powerplay saw them lose two wickets cheaply, and India’s disciplined bowling, led by Arundhati Reddy's impressive 3/19, kept the pressure on throughout the innings. Nida Dar top-scored for Pakistan with 28, but their innings never took off, as they were restricted to a modest total of 105/8 in 20 overs.

In response, India Women had a cautious start, with the openers finding it hard to score freely. Smriti Mandhana fell early for 7, but a steady 43-run partnership between Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues helped stabilize the chase. Despite a few stumbles along the way, with Skipper Fatima Sana’s double strike threatening to turn the match, Harmanpreet Kaur stepped up with a crucial knock of 29 to steer India home. Though she retired hurt in the final over due to neck pain, her efforts ensured India clinched their sixth World Cup victory against Pakistan.

See Also: Why did India Women falter? analyzing the blunders

Analyzing India Women's Powerplay Efficiency Against Pakistan

In their 100th T20I match, India Women put on a dominant display in the powerplay against Pakistan Women during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. After winning the toss and opting to bat, Pakistan's hopes of a strong start were dashed by India’s disciplined bowling attack. The Indian bowlers, led by Arundhati Reddy and a cohesive unit, applied pressure right from the first over. Pakistan lost two key wickets inside the powerplay, limiting their ability to set an aggressive tone.

India’s bowling performance was a clinical one, with a remarkable economy rate of 4.83 during the powerplay. The standout feature of their attack was their ability to bowl dot balls consistently, with 23 out of the 36 deliveries not conceding any runs. This strangled Pakistan’s batting lineup and prevented them from finding any rhythm. India’s bowlers were sharp in their lines and lengths, ensuring that the batters struggled to rotate the strike.

Pakistan, in response, could only muster 29 runs during the six-over powerplay. While they tried to break free with a few boundaries, India’s tight fielding and precision bowling kept them in check. The powerplay ended with India taking two wickets, leaving Pakistan reeling at 29/2 and struggling to recover from the early damage. The wickets that fell during this phase proved crucial, as Pakistan was never able to recover and post a competitive total.

The two wickets that India Women secured were pivotal in turning the match in their favor. One of the key dismissals came when Pakistan’s opener attempted to counter-attack but mistimed a shot, leading to a catch. Harmanpreet Kaur, India’s captain, was instrumental in setting the field and keeping the pressure on Pakistan’s batters, making quick bowling changes and ensuring Pakistan never found a way back into the game. 

As the powerplay concluded, India’s bowlers had already set the tone for the rest of the innings. The consistent dot balls and disciplined bowling helped restrict Pakistan to a modest score of 105/8 in their full 20 overs. India Women’s performance in the powerplay, marked by pressure, wickets, and precision, laid the foundation for what would become a comfortable six-wicket victory over their arch-rivals.

See Also: How did each New Zealand batter falter against Prabath Jayasuriya's spin?