Bowlers, Harmanpreet will perform at World Cup: Coach Ramesh Powar

New Zealand women batters bump fists with Indian players after their third ODI win at John Davies Oval in Queenstown. Pic/Getty Images

The Indian women's team suffered its third straight ODI defeat to New Zealand in Queenstown on Friday, thereby losing the five-match series. Before that, India lost tour-opening lone T20I against the Kiwis too. The India batters did well to score a 270-plus total in their last two ODIs, but the bowlers failed to defend it on both occasions.

However, head coach Ramesh Powar is not worried about the team's the poor bowling effort ahead of the upcoming (March 4 to April 2) ICC World Cup in New Zealand. "I'm not concerned about anything. Our bowlers are bowling 10 overs, they are getting match time, they have a skill set. When there is pressure, they will rise to counter that and do well in the World Cup," Powar said in reply to a question on his team's bowling issues during a post-match virtual media interaction.

Ramesh Powar

Put in to bat, India openers Sabbhineni Meghana (61) and Shafali Verma (51) along with Deepti Sharma's (unbeaten 69) were the chief contributors as the visitors were bowled out for 279 in 49.3 overs. However, besides pacer Jhulan Goswami (3-47), no other Indian bowler performed well, leading to three-wickets defeat with five balls to spare.

Powar insisted that the bowlers will get into rhythm in time for the World Cup. "It is now up to the bowling unit to get into rhythm. There were restrictions during our practice sessions and some other limitations. So, I have to give [benefit] to the bowlers, but they will come back hard when the World Cup begins," he said.

Vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur's poor form has been worrying too. She has scored just 45 runs in her last four international matches and has taken one wicket, conceding 63 runs in her nine overs. Powar however, felt that she needs to be backed. "It is up to Harman to get back into form. It's the player's mind that works in pressure situations. It's up to the player to come out of that zone and do well," said Powar. India play their next two ODIs against the Kiwis on Monday and Thursday respectively in Queenstown before heading into the ICC World Cup.

Brief scores
India 279 all out in 49.3 overs (D Sharma 69', S Meghana 61; R Mair 4-43, H Rowe 2-52) lost to NZ 280-7 in 49.1 overs (A Kerr 67, L Down 64'; J Goswami 3-47) by three wickets