Suzie Bates' heroics powers New Zealand women past India
The Indian women's cricket team faced a series defeat after losing against New Zealand in the second T20I match. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian side was dismal with the bat once again, as the Kiwis clinched a last-ball thriller, in pursuit of a modest 136. Suzie Bates was the architect in New Zealand women's victory. Here are the details.
Only two Indian batswomen get to double digits
India, who decided not to recall Mithali Raj into the starting XI, saw only two batswomen notching double digits. Smriti Mandhana hit a 27-ball 36. Jemimah Rodrigues scored a sublime 72. Harmanpreet (5) and the rest of the batting faltered big time. Questions will be raised in the manner in which the team has batted in successive games.
India managed only 63 in last 10 overs
India scored only 63 runs in the final 10 overs after managing 72/2 in the first ten. The poor show saw the visitors post only 135/6. In reply, New Zealand were sailing at one stage. Amy Satterthwaite (23) got dismissed with the score reading 101/3 in the 15th over. The Kiwis lost two more in quick succession that included Bates (62).
Bates notches her 21st career T20I fifty
New Zealand needed five runs from the final four deliveries. Leigh Kasperek and Hannah Rowe played calmly to see their side past the line. Earlier, Bates played a commanding knock to contribute immensely. The opener hit five fours. Bates, who is the leading T20I run-scorer in women's cricket, hit her 21st fifty. She now has 3,076 runs in 110 matches.
We just need to learn from our mistakes: Harmanpreet
"I think we should give credit to our bowlers. We were 20 runs short, They played better cricket than us. We just need to learn from our mistakes and play better," India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur said.
