We wanted to give Shafali a break: Shiv Sunder Das

Indian women's team batting coach Shiv Sunder Das backed the management's decision to drop teenage opener Shafali Verma for the 2022 World Cup match against New Zealand following their 62-run defeat on Thursday.

Chasing 261, India were off to a slow start as they managed just 50 runs from the first 20 overs and lost three top-order wickets. Das noted that strike rotation has been a huge problem for the side despite having experienced batters.

"The strike rotation is a worry for us. The top order has to fire. We have an experience top-order with Smriti batting. We thought, we can get some runs. Maybe we have to rethink about it (the batting order) in the next game," Das said in the post-match press conference.

Smriti Mandhana, who scored a fifty in the opening match against Pakistan, was out for six as Indian batters struggled to find gaps in the field.

"The top order has to fire. We have the batting firepower to go deeper in the tournament. Looking at the top order, once you get going in the 10-15 years, you can put on good score," Das said.

Das also backed the decision to promote Yastika Bhatia, who usually plays in the middle-order, to the role of opener in Verma's absence.

"She (Shafali) has got a fair chance in 7-8 games. We needed to give her a break. She's a really talented batter. Hope she gets going in this break and come back stronger."

"We have seen in the practice matches that she (Yastika) is a good batter. She has just played one game, hope she will come good in the next matches."

Except for a late flourish from Harmanpreet Kaur (70 off 63 balls) where she scored 20 runs off Jess Kerr's 43rd over, India struggled to find the fence. Das felt that the batters need to express themselves in the opening overs.

"The focus is on the first 10-15 overs. We have the experience and the ability. We just have to express ourselves," Das said.

The former Indian opener credited New Zealand bowlers for their disciplined bowling effort.

"We have to give credit to New Zealand, they bowled well with a tight line. We have to work, with one day to go."

India will face off against West Indies in their third match of the World Cup on Saturday at Hamilton.