Former India National Cricket Team player Sanjay Manjrekar blamed the conditions in Dubai for the Women in Blue’s defeat against New Zealand in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. He mentioned that the result might have been different had the contest was played in Sharjah.
India were bowled out for 102 while chasing 161 to hand a 58-run win to the Kiwis.
“The start was not good in the batting and bowling departments. The conditions in Dubai suited New Zealand a lot,” he said on Star Sports.
“If this match was played in Sharjah, the result might have been different because the pitch behaved like the proceedings were happening in Dunedin and not Dubai. New Zealand made the most of it. They bowled full, and there was not even a single short delivery,” he added.
None of the Indian batters touched the 20-run mark, with Rosemary Mair and Lea Tahuhu taking four and three wickets, respectively.
Manjrekar further said that Indian batters chose the wrong options while trying to go big.
“Well done, New Zealand. The conditions were like New Zealand, and the Indian batters tried to hit straight, which was not the right way on this track.”
Manjrekar heaped praise on New Zealand captain Sophie Devine for scoring 57 runs off 36 balls.
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