Harmanpreet Kaur Guides India to Victory Over New Zealand in Warm-Up

India’s Women’s Cricket Team achieved a solid victory over New Zealand in their second and final warm-up match for the Women’s Cricket World Cup. Led by a standout performance from Harmanpreet Kaur, who scored 69 runs, India won by four wickets using the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method. The match took place on September 30, 2023, at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

The match was affected by rain, resulting in a reduction to 42 overs per side. New Zealand set a target of 237 runs after scoring 232 for eight, but India managed to chase it down with ten balls to spare, showcasing their batting depth and resilience after a previous loss to England.

Harmanpreet’s innings was characterized by precision and control, as she struck eight boundaries off 86 balls. She formed a crucial partnership of 132 runs for the third wicket with Harleen Deol, who contributed significantly with a score of 74 runs from 79 balls. The Indian openers, Uma Chetry and Pratika Rawal, laid a solid foundation, putting together a 54-run partnership before Chetry scored 38 and Rawal 15.

On the bowling front, New Zealand’s captain Sophie Devine provided a promising start for her team, scoring 54 runs off 54 balls, while Maddy Green remained not out at 49. Their efforts helped New Zealand reach a competitive score despite early setbacks. Pacer Kranti Goud was instrumental for India, taking two early wickets to put the Kiwis under pressure.

New Zealand’s innings found stability through a 91-run partnership between Devine and Amelia Kerr, who scored 40 runs. However, the Indian bowlers tightened their grip, with Shree Charani emerging as the standout performer, claiming three wickets for 49 runs. Goud and Arundhati Reddy also made significant contributions, each taking two wickets.

India’s chase was not without its challenges; after Harleen Deol retired out, the team briefly lost momentum with quick successive wickets. Nonetheless, Amanjot Kaur and Deepti Sharma steadied the innings, ensuring India crossed the finish line comfortably.

The victory marks a significant morale boost for the Indian team as they prepare to face tournament co-hosts Sri Lanka in their opening match. With a combination of steady batting and effective bowling, India has shown promising signs ahead of the main tournament.

In summary, India’s performance against New Zealand highlighted their potential, setting a positive tone as they head into the World Cup.