Harmanpreet Kaur's innings 'right up there' – Amy Satterthwaite
The ICC Women's World Twenty20 2018 got off to a flier, with India captain Kaur scoring a magnificent 51-ball 103 – a knock laced with seven fours and eight sixes. Her knock, along with Jemimah Rodrigues's 59, powered India to a total of 194/5. This after the New Zealand bowlers had reduced India to 40/3.
Satterthwaite expressed disappointment over her team's bowling performance, but couldn't help but marvel at Kaur's heroics.
NZ v IND: Amy Satterthwaite – 'We got outplayed'
"It's one of the best," Satterthwaite said after the match. "Obviously, I've been fortunate enough to see some pretty special innings from the likes of Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine. I'd say it was right up there. Her striking was outstanding and her ability to clear the boundary is something that's pretty unique in a way."
"We know she's very good at hitting over cover. Obviously she's got her big side shots as well. She's got a pretty all-around game and it makes it obviously difficult to bowl to her if you don't get it right."
NZ v IND: Harmanpreet Kaur century highlights
It certainly was a tough day in the park for the New Zealand bowlers. Satterthwaite said they had plans for Kaur, but were unable to bring them into play.
"Disappointing thing to me is that we weren't executing our bowling (plans). It just makes it difficult to bowl against someone who is in form like that," she said.
History created in Guyana with @ImHarmanpreet becoming the first Indian woman to blast a T20I century, putting her nation in position for a first-up win at the @WorldT20.
— ICC (@ICC) November 9, 2018
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"To a certain extent I don't think we adjusted well enough. We talked about how she likes to play. I've obviously played with her in England. I've certainly seen how she can hit the ball. We talked about what was required, but like I said, I don't think we executed it a lot of the time."
In a tournament of this nature, every game is a high pressure match. However, defeat in the opening game has heightened the pressure on New Zealand to come good in the remaining three group matches.
NZ v IND: Highlights of Rodrigues' 59
WWT20_2018_MATCH1_NZvIND_INDIA__RODRIGUEZ_BATTING_HIGHLIGHTS
"We know that we've got to win," said Satterthwaite. "I think every game is a must-win. We knew coming into this tournament, we talked about it yesterday, how important today was. But if you want to be able to lift the trophy, you've got to win games of cricket. We haven't hit the best out. It's early days. And we know we still have an opportunity."
New Zealand's next match will be against Australia on Wednesday, 14 November at Providence.