3 Mistakes India Need To Rectify To Beat Pakistan In Must-Win Women's T20 World Cup Match

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur with Renuka Thakur [Source: @@BCCIWomen/X.Com]

The India Women's team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur produced a horror show on Friday evening against New Zealand in their opening fixture of the Women's T20 World Cup. The Asian team suffered a humiliating 58-run defeat, which has made their passage towards semis difficult.

The fielding was sub-par, the bowling lacked the cutting-edge and the batting had no desire to chase down the total. Almost everything went wrong for India and now they find themselves in a tricky situation in a difficult group. However, all is not lost yet, as they take on Pakistan in their next encounter.

So, in this article, we will talk about 3 mistakes India need to correct to overcome the Pakistan challenge in Dubai.

3) Work on improving the fielding

india had an average outing on the field in all three departments, but it was the fielding which disappointed the most. Numerous catching chances were dropped, and it costed India heavily against a top-quality side like New Zealand.

Against Pakistan, same mistakes cannot be made. The Asian rival, Pakistan were superb against Sri Lanka, and are riding high on confidence, and as a result, India need to be sharp on the field to save valuable runs.

2) Captaincy blunders need to be reduced

Harmanpreet Kaur didn't had the best of nights with the bat and as a leader of the team. Her bowling changes were questionable and the New Zealand side took advantage of it.

Pooja Vastrakar, who only bowled one over, wasn't allowed to complete her quota of 4 overs. Moreover, Deepti Sharma, who had a lacklustre outing, was given 4 overs, and it was a blessing in disguise for the White Ferns.

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In her four overs, Deepti conceded 45 runs and failed to grab a wicket. Plus, the fielding placements were not on point, and Harmanpreet played a defensive game as the captain, which allowed New Zealand to run away with the contest. Against Pakistan, she needs to be on her toes as the leader of the pact, or else, India could be on the verge of elimination after just two games.

1) Senior batters need to take responsibility in big matches

Smriti Mandhana scored just 12, Shafali Verma (2 runs), Harmanpreet Kaur, (15), and this is where the Indian side lost the plot in the chase.

Time and again we have seen that the Indian players faltered in big matches, and this was a night to prove everyone wrong. 160 was always going to be tricky against a decent opposition bowling attack, but the Indian batters surrendered inside the power-play, allowing New Zealand to inflict a massive defeat. Against Pakistan, the batting needs to be recharged and the seniors have to take the responsibility to deliver the goods.

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