India Face New Zealand To Begin Preparation For Women's ODI World Cup

23.10.2024 - 08:57 sports.ndtv.com

It will be a trial by fire for skipper Harmanpreet Kaur as India begin preparations for next year's World Cup with the three-match ODI series against New Zealand starting on Thursday, having recently endured another failure at claiming an ICC title.

The series will be vital for Kaur who has faced flak for her captaincy during the recently-held T20 World Cup in the UAE, where India failed to clear the group stage even though the skipper emerged as the team's highest scorer in the tournament.

While India look to get their act right after the forgettable outing in the UAE, New Zealand will be on a high having lifted the T20 World Cup trophy with a clinical performance throughout the tournament, barring their group game against Australia.

Kaur, 35, retained her place as captain despite questions about her leadership in recent times, and in the series against New Zealand, she will have to manage without the services of big-hitting wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, who is due to appear in her 12th standard board exams.

cricket India Women New Zealand Women Harmanpreet Kaur Smriti Mandhana Australia Uae New Zealand India

India's batting frailties were once again exposed as New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine's all-round heroics propelled her side to a series-levelling 76-run win in the second women's ODI on Sunday. Opting to bat, Devine struck 79 off 86 balls, hitting seven fours and a six while stitching a vital partnership of 82 runs for the fifth wicket with Maddy Green (42 off 41 balls) to lift New Zealand to a challenging 259 for nine. Devine also excelled with the ball, finishing with figures of 3/27 as New Zealand's bowlers combined to dismiss India for 183 runs, built around No. 9 Radha Yadav's fighting 48. For the White Ferns, Lea Tahuhu (3/42) also claimed three wickets, while Jess Kerr (2/49) and Eden Carson (2/32) chipped in with key dismissals.

"After Two Tough Months, It Feels...": India Stand-In Captain Smriti Mandhana Pours Heart Out After Win In 1st ODI

Stand-in captain Smriti Mandhana hailed India's bowling and fielding efforts as they bounced back from a "tough" phase to secure a win against New Zealand in the first ODI of the three-match series. India's Women's T20 World Cup campaign earlier this month had ended in a disaster as they failed to reach the semifinals following a 58-run defeat to Sophie Devine's New Zealand, who went on to win the tournament.

Only One Indian In ICC's Women's T20 World Cup 2024 Team of the Tournament. Not Smriti Mandhana Or Jemimah Rodrigues

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 Team of the Tournament on Monday and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur is the only player from India who was included in the side. In an otherwise disappointing campaign for India, skipper Harmanpreet was the standout performer for the Women in Blue. She finished as India's top scorer and the fourth-highest overall in the tournament, amassing 150 runs in four innings.

Women's T20 World Cup Prize Money: Winners New Zealand Receive Rs 19.6 Crore, India Get...

New Zealand scripted history on Sunday as they clinched the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 title. It was New Zealand's maiden T20 World Cup title, men's and women's both. The White Ferns thrashed South Africa by 32 runs in Dubai on Sunday. South Africa, playing their second successive final, sent New Zealand in to bat and the Sophie Devine-led side thrived under pressure to post an above par 158/5. Later, the Proteas were restricted to 126/9 and once again failed to clinch the title.

"Not Just To Participate...": Former India Captain Anjum Chopra Gives Brutal 'Underprepared' Verdict On Harmanpreet Kaur-Led Side

Before the Indian team's departure to the UAE for the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur claimed that the 15-member side was the best group ever playing the showpiece event in the shortest format. But all of it came crashing down when India lost to 58 runs by New Zealand in their tournament opener at Dubai and from there, they were just playing catch up till the writing on the wall came clear: of them suffering a group-stage exit in the T20 World Cups for the first time since 2016.

India Star To Miss New Zealand Series Due To 12th Board Exam

Harmanpreet Kaur was on Thursday retained as India captain for the three Women's ODIs against New Zealand while the selectors also picked four uncapped players for the series starting October 24. Days after India's early exit from the T20 World Cup, questions were raised about Harmanpreet's future as captain after another failure in an ICC event. However, the selectors have decided to stick with her for the moment. The games against New Zealand in Ahmedabad will also mark the start of preparations for the ODI World Cup which India hosts next year.