IND vs NZ, Women's T20 World Cup 2024: Devine, bowlers give New Zealand 58-run win over India

Jemimah Rodrigues (Pic: AFP)

India, captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, will launch their Women's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against Sophie Devine's New Zealand on October 4 in Dubai. As finalists in 2020, India enters the tournament as one of the frontrunners, buoyed by recent victories in warm-up matches against the West Indies and South Africa. Key players to watch include Jemimah Rodrigues, who notched a fifty in the warm-ups, alongside Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and star all-rounder Deepti Sharma.

Conversely, New Zealand is grappling with a slump in form, having suffered ten consecutive losses in T20 internationals, including a 3-0 series defeat to Australia. Nevertheless, Amelia Kerr and Suzie Bates continue to be pivotal figures for the White Ferns. Historically, India and New Zealand are evenly matched in T20 World Cup encounters, with each team claiming two victories. However, India's recent form provides them with a significant advantage as they aim to commence the tournament with a triumph.

Also Read: Can India channel their inner champions in World Cup opener?

IND vs NZ, Women's T20 World Cup 2024: Team squads

India Women Squad: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh(w), Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Shreyanka Patil, Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav, Renuka Thakur Singh, Dayalan Hemalatha, S Sajana, Yastika Bhatia, Asha Sobhana

New Zealand Women Squad: Suzie Bates, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine(c), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze(w), Hannah Rowe, Rosemary Mair, Eden Carson, Fran Jonas, Lea Tahuhu, Leigh Kasperek, Jess Kerr, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer.

IND vs NZ, Women's T20 World Cup 2024: Toss report

New Zealand captain Sophie Devine wins the toss and elects to bat first in Dubai.

IND vs NZ, Women's T20 World Cup 2024: Playing XIs

New Zealand Women (Playing XI): Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine(c), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze(w), Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson.

India Women (Playing XI): Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh(w), Deepti Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Pooja Vastrakar, Shreyanka Patil, Asha Sobhana, Renuka Thakur Singh.

IND-W: 102/19 (19 Overs)

The Kiwis secure their biggest defeat over India in T20Is to get their Women's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign off to the best possible start.

IND-W: 90/8 (15.4 Overs)

Another wicket for New Zealand as Pooja Vastrakar departs for 8 off 7 out bowled by Ameliea Kerr. New Zealand cruising towards victory.

IND-W: 51/3 (8 Overs)

Harmanpreet Kaur is gone. Jemimah Rodrigues is joined by Richa Ghosh in the middle. It is the umpire's call which gets the New Zealand team the big wicket they wanted.

IND-W: 29/2 (4.4 Overs)

India in trouble as Smriti Mandhana 12 (13) gets caught by Green bowled by Eden Carson.

IND-W: 13/1 (1.5 Overs)

Shafali Verma 2 (4) gets caught & bowled by Carson. Big wicket for New Zealand and now the skipper Harmanpreet Kaur walks in the middle for India.

IND-W: 11/0 (1 Over)

Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma begin the chase for India women. 161 runs needed to secure the first win of this tournament and they have got 11 runs from the first over.

NZ-W: 139/3 (18 Overs)

Deepti Sharma taken to the cleaners by New Zealand. Devine and Halliday in the middle for New Zealand at the moment.

NZ: 119/3 (16.2 Overs)

Sophie Devine is key New Zealand at the moment, she is batting on 35 off 24 balls. Arundhati comes into the attack for India.

NZ-W: 99/3 (14.2 Overs)

Amelia Kerr 13 (22) caught by Pooja Vastrakar bowled by Renuka Singh. India finally get a wicket after four overs. New Zealand go 3 down now.

NZ-W: 68/2 (9 Overs)

Georgia Plimmer 34 (23) gets caught by Smriti Mandhana bowled by Asha Sobhana. India get both openers back to the pavilion, a much needed breakthrough for the Women in Blue.

NZ-W: 55/0 (6 Overs)

Powerplay done and New Zealand are off to a fine start in the first six overs with both openers settled in the middle. 55 runs from the first 36 balls for the Kiwis against India.

NZ: 9/0 (1 Over)

New Zealand start positive with nine runs off the first over as Suzer Bates gets two boundaries off Pooja Vastrakar. India looking for early wickets.