Women's World Cup: India pay the price for lack of intent in 261 chase, slip to 62-run loss vs New Zealand

Women's World Cup 2022: Harmanpreet Kaur hit a quick 71 but it was not enough as India paid the price for a baffling approach in the first 20 overs of their 261-run chase against New Zealand in Hamilton on Thursday.

67 dots in the first 15 overs cost India a golden opportunity to beat hosts New Zealand and build a winning run at the Women's World Cup 2022. Chasing 261, India managed just 198 in 46.4 overs as they succumbed to a 62-run loss in their second match of the tournament at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Thursday.

Harmanpreet Kaur showed signs of her vintage self, hitting 71 from 63 balls after a slow start but it was not enough as India paid the price for an ordinary start as they managed just 50 runs in the first 20 overs. There was no real intent from captain Mihali Raj and opener Yastika Bhatia after they lost in-form Smriti Mandhana early for 6 as early as the 6th over of the chase.

New Zealand bowlers executed their plans to perfection as Lea Tahuhu shone with 3 wickets in her 10 overs, giving away just 17 runs and bowling 2 maidens. Leg-spinner Amelia Kerr picked up 3 crucial wickets, including that of Mithali, to follow up her fifty from the first innings.

Yastika (28 from 59), Mithali (31 from 56) struggled to get going as their strange partnership cost India the momentum that they needed for chasing 261. The lack of intent to even rotate the strike was shocking as questions were asked of their approach.

Yastika fell in the 20th over to Tahuhu following which India lost Mithali and Richa Ghosh (0) in the same over from Amelia Kerr. India decided to drop teenage batter Shafali Verma after one poor outing in the opener against Pakistan despite Jhulan Goswami backing her on the eve of the match against New Zealand.

Harmanpreet Kaur hit a few lusty blows towards the end but the asking rate had shot up. The star batter fell for 71 to Amelia while trying to do the improbable.

71 Runs63 Balls6 Fours2 Sixes#TeamIndia vice-captain @ImHarmanpreet departs but not before she played a fine knock.Follow the match https://t.co/zZzFTtBxPb#CWC22 | #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/hTizx4GfUC