The Harmapreet Kaur-led Indian side did not have the best start in their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign. The Women in Blue faced a 58-run defeat against New Zealand in Dubai.
Speaking about India's loss, spinner Poonam Yadav said that they failed to do their homework and read the conditions compared to New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine, who knew dew wouldn't be a factor in the game.
“I thought we had already made up our mindset that since it is an evening game, there would be a due factor, but if you look at the New Zealand team, they have done their homework very well. New Zealand batted first and we thought there would be a due factor, but when I said after the toss, I said that maybe Sophie Devine knew due won’t come into play. So, they batted first. Once they scored 160, it was said that India have never chased,” Yadav told News18 CricketNext.
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You need to do your homework properly when you are performing at such a big stage: Poonam Yadav
Going into the next game against Pakistan at the same venue, Yadav believes India will have to do a much better job in pre-match preparations. She believes the team needs to focus more on their skills and not on what the weather would be like.
“So, I think you need to do your homework properly when you are performing at such a big stage. Whether it’s your bowling or batting, you should focus a little more on those things rather than thinking about whether the conditions are in your favour or not,” she added.
The Indian spinner believes that they will learn a lot from their loss and come back stronger in the next game against Pakistan. “The Indian women’s team will bounce back because, after a big loss in the first match, as an Indian, you always come back stronger. I believe the team will learn a lot from this first loss and make a strong comeback,” Yadav said.