India win probably set the tone for us: Sophie Devine

New Zealand lost ten consecutive T20I matches before arriving at the T20 World Cup 2024. The expectations were quite low, especially with India and Australia being in the same group but the Sophie Devine-led side defied all the odds and put up a great show and eventually won the tournament, beating South Africa by 32 runs in the summit clash. 

Reflecting on the season, the captain noted that it was hard for her to pinpoint one defining moment for the comeback but added that the opening game against India gave them the belief and confidence to do well and win the tournament. In that game, the White Ferns batted first put 160 runs on the board, and restricted the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side to just 102 runs.

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Talking about the game, Devine said that it was the most complete performance by New Zealand since T20 World Cup 2022 and that gave the players plenty of confidence to bounce back after a series of defeats. 

“It's really hard to pinpoint one moment or one game. Probably most recently is that India game though. I think that was probably the most complete performance we've had since the World Cup in South Africa and everything did come together and, as I said, it showed that belief and confidence in this group and to put it together and know that we could do it,” Devine told in the post-match conference.

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“I think was a massive moment for us and helped us on our journey to being here tonight with this in front of us. So hard to pinpoint because there's so much that goes into it. I mean everyone thinks about the games but it's the work that goes on behind the scenes that a lot of people don't see. But yeah, I think if you're talking about performances, that India one probably set the tone for us,” she said. 

On the night of the final, New Zealand posted 158 runs. South Africa started well in the chase but failed to get going after the powerplay and eventually succumbed to the defeat.