India Women sealed their spot in the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 after a commanding 53-run victory (via DLS method) against New Zealand Women in Match No. 24 at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai, on Thursday.
In what was a virtual quarter-final, Sophie Devine won the toss and chose to bowl first. However, the decision backfired as the India Women posted a mammoth 340/3 in 49 overs, with rain interrupting the first innings. The top order delivered brilliantly, led by Smriti Mandhana’s classy century and Pratika Rawal’s composed ton. Jemimah Rodrigues added the finishing touch with an unbeaten 76 off 55 balls, ensuring India crossed the 300-run mark with ease.
“𝑶𝒖𝒓 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒄𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕 — 𝒘𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒚 𝒂𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒂𝒎𝒆,” 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝑺𝒎𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊 𝑴𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒂 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒅 𝑷𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉.
Smriti Mandhana and Renuka Singh Shine in a Rain-Interrupted Clash
Rain again played spoilsport between innings, forcing New Zealand to chase a revised target of 325 runs in 44 overs. Openers Georgia Plimmer and Amelia Kerr got off to brisk starts but failed to convert them into big scores. Captain Sophie Devine, who looked in fine touch, was undone by a brilliant delivery from Renuka Singh, which turned the tide firmly in India’s favor.
Despite late fireworks from Brooke Halliday and Isabella Gaze, who scored quick half-centuries, the White Ferns could only manage 271/8 in 44 overs.
“𝑰𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒕𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒙𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒔,” 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝑹𝒆𝒏𝒖𝒌𝒂 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒉, 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 2/25 𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒊𝒙 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔.
India Women’s Player of the Match
Smriti Mandhana was named Player of the Match for her spectacular 109 off 95 balls, which included 10 fours and four sixes. Her strike rate of 114.74, combined with her three catches in the field, made her performance one of the best of the tournament.
Key Highlights
The unforgettable 212-run stand between Mandhana and Rawal off 201 balls proved to be the defining moment of the match. Their partnership not only set up India’s victory but also showcased their consistency and composure in pressure situations.
Upcoming Matches
India and New Zealand will return to action on Sunday, October 26, with India facing Bangladesh and New Zealand taking on England in their final group fixtures.
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