India's Resilient Performance
The Indian women's cricket team bounced back with a stunning win against New Zealand, defeating them by 53 runs to seal their semi-final spot in the ICC Women's World Cup 2025. This match was pivotal as it marked India's recovery after a streak of three consecutive losses.
Outstanding Batting Displays
After losing the toss and being asked to bat, India's opening batting pair of Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal orchestrated a remarkable partnership of 212 runs. Mandhana's innings included a beautiful century, scoring 109 runs off just 95 balls. Rawal, maintaining the tempo, contributed an impressive 122 runs off 131 balls, marking her second century in ODIs.
Additionally, Jemimah Rodrigues, returning to the squad, played a crucial role, smashing 76 runs from just 55 balls. India set a record total of 340 runs in their 49 overs.
Weather Interruptions and New Zealand's Chase
Due to rain interruptions, New Zealand's chase was reduced to 44 overs, setting an adjusted target of 325 runs. Early breakthroughs by Indian bowlers, including Kranti Gaud's wicket of Suzie Bates and Renuka Thakur's quick dismissals, put India in a commanding position.
Despite efforts by Brooke Halliday, who scored 81 runs, New Zealand fell short. India’s bowlers, led by Renuka and Gaud, took crucial wickets, ensuring a decisive victory.
| Player | Runs | Balls Faced |
|---|
| Smriti Mandhana | 109 | 95 |
| Pratika Rawal | 122 | 131 |
| Jemimah Rodrigues | 76 | 55 |
| Brooke Halliday (NZ) | 81 | 84 |
Crowd and Future Matches
The match attracted a record crowd of 23,118 fans, breaking the previous attendance record for a Women's ICC tournament league match. With this victory, India stands poised to face Bangladesh in their final league match before the semi-finals.
India’s journey has been impressive, with victories against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, now positioning them for potential advancement in the tournament. They look forward to a challenging semi-final against the winner of the South Africa vs. Australia match.