Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur expressed her disappointment after India’s crushing 58-run defeat to New Zealand in their Women's T20 World Cup opener, acknowledging that her team did not play their best cricket. Despite the lopsided loss, Kaur remains confident that her players are capable of delivering stronger performances in the upcoming matches.
India struggled in their chase of New Zealand’s 161-run target, being bowled out for just 102 in 19 overs. Not a single Indian batter managed to score 20 runs, as the team failed to gain any momentum in the face of disciplined bowling and fielding from the Kiwis.
"We didn't play our best cricket. Going forward we know every game is important," Kaur said at post-match presentation ceremony.
She didn't agree that 161 was a difficult target on a slowish track.
"We have chased many times 160-170, we were expecting that on the board. While batting, we knew someone had to bat through but we kept losing wickets."
India play Pakistan on Sunday and Kaur feels that her team will come up trumps against arch rivals.
"We know this group is capable of better, this wasn't the start we were expecting but we have to go from here."
On the bowling front, Kaur felt that her team didn't cash in on chances.
"We created chances but we were not able to avail those chances. They played better cricket than us, no doubt about that. Fielding we made some mistakes so that is a learning for us going forward," she said possibly referring to Renuka Thakur's sloppy outfield effort and wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh's bungle in the Powerplay.
Inputs from PTI