New Delhi: India need to improve their overall game but its their batting that needs an immediate upgrade, says women’s team captain Harmanpreet Kaur after they lost to New Zealand in the second ODI.
Kaur’s girls went down by 76 runs in Ahmedabad on Sunday after getting bowled out for 183 runs in 47.1 overs in chase of 260 with Radha Yadav top-scoring with 48 off 64 balls, followed by Saima Thakor (29) and Harmanpreet’s 24.
India had won the opening match of the three-game series by 59 runs but suffered a big loss in the second game and would have to produce a significant improved display to win the series in the final match on Tuesday.
“We weren’t up to the mark. These girls look ready and keen to do well for the country. Batting is something that we really need to work on and if we do that we can win the series,” Kaur said after the match.
“I think we gave away too many runs and dropped too many catches but I think it was still a chaseable target but we didn’t bat well. Good to see Radha and Saima do well with bat. We kept losing wickets in the chase. We will look to build partnerships next game.”
New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat with skipper Sophie Devine striking 79 runs off 86 balls, including seven fours and a six.
She put together an 82-run fifth wicket partnership with Maddy Green (42 off 41 balls) to propel New Zealand to a fighting total of 259 for nine.
Later, Devine delivered crucial blows with the ball, claiming 3/27 as the Kiwi bowlers dismissed India for 183 runs with No. 9 Radha Yadav fighting a lone battle.
“Pretty happy with the way the game went. We spoke about playing good cricket for long periods and we did that. We spoke about making sure to build partnerships.
“The way Green and Gaze came out and played got us to a competitive score after the platform was set early on,” Devine said, after being named the player of the match.
“It’s always hard when you lose someone of the quality of Amelia Kerr. When you are taking regular wickets it helps that you can have faith in the other bowlers available to you. It is about backing up performances like tonight. Exciting challenge awaits us on Tuesday.”
