It was a sad day for India in the CricInfo Women's World Cup at
Christchurch today as India caved in without as much as a semblance of a
fight. It was not the margin of defeat (74 runs) as much the manner in
which they capitulated that disappointed many Indian and cricket fans that
had turned out in fairly large numbers for this encounter between India and
hosts New Zealand. Only one word can best describe the Indian defeat -
capitulation, complete, early and easy.
Nothing went well for India on this crucial day when a victory would have
been a big morale booster and would have augured well for the semi-finals
where an India-New Zealand clash seems most likely. Fielding first on
losing the toss, India were without the services of their most prolific
scorer, Mithali Raj, still down with a viral fever. Sunita Kanojia stepped
in for her in the playing eleven, which was the only good move India made
for the whole day.
Batting first on winning the toss, New Zealand were bogged down and at one
stage the score read a dismal 34 for two. But the experienced Debbie
Hockley and opener Anna O'Leary took the score to a comfortable 126 before
the former departed. Hockley incidentally became the first woman cricketer
to complete 4,000 runs in one-day games with her 53. New Zealand made 61
runs off the first 25 overs but belted 163 runs off the next 25 overs.
The entry of Haidee Tiffen changed the complexion of the game dramatically.
She started off on a wrong note giving a catch to Smitha Harikrishna off
David before opening her account that was floored. From then on, she
virtually dominated the game and added 98 runs for the fourth wicket with
O'Leary who churned out some better strokes after the advent of Tiffen. The
Indian fielding wilted like it had never before in this competition and as
many as three chances were let off of O'Leary. One's became two's and two's
got converted into three's. The fielding lapses against Australia paled
into insignificance compared to the mistakes in this match.
But Tiffen emerged as one of a rare breed; the type that likes to carry the
fire into the opponent's camp which she did most effectively. The game of
women's cricket needs more players of her type to enliven the proceedings
and bring the paying spectators to the matches. The approach of the New
Zealand opener Rebecca Ross also was very positive but she departed early
due to a superb catch by Smitha Harikrishna.
Sunita Kanojia bowled well but bowled against the breeze. Renu Margaret, in
the eye of the storm ostensibly due to a suspect bowling action, was a
shadow of her normal self today with the pressure of being the cynosure of
all becoming too much to bear. But the only redeeming feature for India in
the New Zealand innings was the return to form of left arm spinner Neetu
David who turned out an impressive performance with the ball.
India started disastrously losing Anjum Chopra early due to a run out.
Skipper Anju Jain and Purnima Rau did not last long and it was left to
Chanderkanta Kaul to resurrect the Indian innings with help from Smitha
Harikrishna. The pair took the score from 39 for three to 90 before Smitha
left. And the strangest part of the Indian innings unfolded after that. The
Indians gave up the run chase and the fluently stroking Kaul also went into
a shell, possibly on account of instructions from inside. There was no
sense of urgency and it looked that the Indians had given up the chase and
meandered to 111 for seven.
It is inexplicable as to why Rupanjali Shastri, who virtually single
handedly won the game against England, was sent out to bat at No.9 and it
was only after her advent that India once again started making an effort to
increase their run tally. Kaul, who has been the most consistent of the
Indians with scores of 13*, 45, 39* and 28 in this competition, finally got
a well-deserved half century and remained unbeaten. The tactic adopted by
India, of pulling their shutters down even when they were in with a chance,
does not speak well of the confidence level. Also it speaks volumes of lack
of support to the team by the think tank!! The match eventually turned out
to be a damp squib due to this approach.