Women's World Cup: India lose tamely to New Zealand despite Harmanpreet 70, Jhulan record

Harmanpreet Kaur's late aggression after Jhulan Goswami equalled the World Cup record for wickets was too little as New Zealand won by 62 runs in Hamilton.

India seemed unable to shake off the scars from the ODI series loss to New Zealand before the World Cup as the hosts beat them by 62 runs in their second World Cup game at Hamilton on Thursday.

Harmanpreet Kaur scored 70 but it wasn't enough for India.  (Getty)

It was a reality check for India. The top order again failed, and was too tame in taking on a challenging chase of 261, dismissed for 198 in 46.4 overs. Even that was possible only because vice captain Harmanpreet Kaur struck a sizzling 70 (63b, 6x4, 2x6), but the rest capitulated around her.

India made mistakes on the field and in terms of strategies. Skipper Mithali Raj seemed to have erred in opting to bowl first on a good wicket. New Zealand, riding on Amy Satterthwaite’s 75 (84b, 9x4) and all-rounder Amelia Kerr’s 50 (64b, 5x4), piled up 260/9.

The Kiwis scored at a good tempo. Though Pooja Vastrakar’s direct throw from cover got opener Suzie Bates out in the third over, captain Sophie Devine kept playing strokes, using the power play well. Vastrakar finally got her caught for 35. Satterthwaite and Kerr added 67 runs. Just after reaching her fifty, Kerr was trapped in front by left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad. But Satterthwaite and Maddy Green raised 54 runs before off-spinner Deepti Sharma removed the latter for 27, making it 175/4 in 33 overs. With six wickets in hand, New Zealand were looking at a total close to 300.

Jhulan equals WC record

But India bowlers rallied, conceding only 85 runs in those 102 balls. Jhulan Goswami removed Katey Martin to equal Australian Lyn Fullston's record for most World Cup wickets - 39. Vastrakar was the most impressive, taking 4/34, three of them in the end after being on a hat-trick. She also sent Satterthwaite back for 75 in 84 balls with the hosts scoring 260 for nine in 50 overs.

India lost the plot chasing 261 by adopting a defensive approach throughout the innings. India came under pressure when they lost opener Smriti Mandhana in the sixth over for 6. Shafali Verma, out of touch was replaced by Yastika Bhatia but the Baroda left-hander, who did well in the New Zealand in ODI series, could not push the scoring. No 3 Deepti Sharma was out for five.

With a run-rate of two runs per over, India should have looked to accelerate but Raj, who has been playing for India for 22 years, looked nervous and off-colour, failing to find even singles with Bhatia. Lea Tahuhu dismissed Bhatia (28 – 59b) for her second dismissal. It was left to Raj and Kaur to do rebuild but the skipper succumbed to the pressure when Kerr got her stumped for 31 off 56 balls, leaving India reeling at 97/4 in 29.4 overs.

Legspinner Kerr bowled Richa Ghosh next ball and Sneh Rana and Vatstrakar, who shone in the win over Pakistan, fell for 18 and 6 respectively. With the run rate climbing alarmingly, India’s hopes rode on Kaur, who batted her heart out but could not take India even close.

After the game, Raj said: "After the early wickets we got, the way they had a partnership I thought they would get around 270-280. We thought it was chaseable provided we had the top order going. But back-to-back wickets put a lot of pressure because we did not have a batter who can take it deep. There was bounce and it got slower in the second innings; their seamers were hitting the right areas with the bounce, but it wasn't unplayable. Our batting, especially the top and middle order needs to fire because other teams are posting 250-260. Our bowlers have done well today and earlier as well."

New Zealand lost their opening game to West Indies and beat Bangladesh. India face in-form West Indies next.