India beat New Zealand by 34 runs in the opening match at the ICC Women's World T-20 tournament in Guyana Friday night. After a brilliant display with the bat, a combined bowling effort helped India restrict New Zealand 160 for nine in 20 overs.
Chasing a huge target of 195 runs, New Zealand got off to a solid start, but lost the momentum after losing three wickets in quick succession. Suzie Bates 67 was the top scorer for the team. Dayalan Hemalatha and Poonam Yadav picked up 3 wickets each while Radha Yadav (2) and Arundhati Reddy (1) were the other wicket takers for India.
Riding on the Harmanpreet Kaur's first T20 century, India scored 194 for five in the stipulated 20 overs. Harmanpreet with Jemimah Rodrigues (59) stitched a 134-run partnership for the fourth wicket as India scored the highest total in Women's World T20. The 29-year Harmanpreet made 103 runs in 51 balls, punishing the New Zealand bowlers with eight sixes and seven fours. Earlier, India won the toss and elected to bat.
