We didn’t play our best cricket - Harmanpreet Kaur on India-W’s loss to New Zealand-W

The Indian women had a disappointing start to the ongoing T20 World Cup as they stuttered against the White Ferns. With a lot of catching up to do in terms of batting, the Indian captain, Harmanpreet Kaur opened up on how the quality of cricket in the opener wavered. She also underlined the fact that India will need to look forward and get the wheels back in motion.

Talking at the post-match conference, Kaur said, “We didn't play our best cricket today. Going forward we have to think about what areas we have to improve. Every game now is important and we have to play our best cricket. We created chances, it's not like that we didn't create.”

She further added, “They played better cricket than us, no doubt about that. This is such a high stage where you can't make these mistakes. We have chased 160-170 many times. But on that pitch .. It was 10-15 runs too many. At one stage, the way they started, I was thinking it would be 180. This wasn't the start we were expecting (in this tournament).”

India will be playing Pakistan in their second clash in what promises to be a high-octane Group A game. A win is important for the Indian women, not just in terms of staying afloat in the points table but also to reassert their dominion in world cricket in recent times.