India women begin tour of New Zealand with 18-run loss in one-off T20I

India women, who were without star batter Smriti Mandhana, lost the one-off T20I by 18 runs in Queenstown against New Zealand women on Wednesday.

It was not the ideal start for India women's tour of New Zealand as Harmanpreet Kaur-led side was outclassed by 18 runs in a one-off T20I at the scenic John Davies Oval in Queenstown on Wednesday, February 9. Chasing 156, India managed only 137 as they fell short of the total of 18 runs in an ordinary show with both and ball against the White Ferns.

India were without their star batter Smriti Mandhana for the one-off T20I as they opened with Yastika Bhatia and Shafali Verma. The two openers gave India a solid start in the chase, stitching a 41-run stand in 6.3 overs but Amelia Kerr hurt the visitors in the first over after powerplay. Kerr got the wicket of Bhatia with a googly that turned from down the leg while Shafali Verma found the deep mid-wicket fielder when she was going for a big shot.

Melie Kerr gets two in the over! Follow India's chase in Queenstown LIVE with @sparknzsport or @TVNZ 1 in NZ and with @PrimeVideoIN in India. #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/h4DBL0L1vV

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur's ordinary run in international cricket continued as she got out for 12 from 13 balls.

Sabbhineni Meghana led India's fight back with a 30-ball 37 after coming into bat at No. 4. However, the middle-order with Richa Ghosh (12), Pooja Vastraker (!0) and Shen Rana (6) failed to step up.

Incidentally, all-rounder Deepti Sharma batted down the order and managed just 3 runs as India were never able to get on with the chase after the solid opening stand.

Jess Kerr, who removed captain Harmanpreet with a beauty, shone with 2 wickets while leg-spinner Amelia finished with figures of 2/25. Hayley Jensen picked up 2 wickets as well while captain Sophie Devine and Lea Tahuhu picked up a wicket each.