Witness the remarkable performances of Mandhana, Rawal, and Rodrigues as they propel India to a knockout berth in WCC 2025. Get all the match insights here.
Introduction:
India Women produced a powerful batting performance to crush New Zealand by 53 runs via the DLS method in Navi Mumbai on Thursday, securing the fourth semi-final berth emphatically. The victory ended a worrying run of three straight defeats and reaffirmed India’s title credentials heading into the knockout stage of the Women’s World Cup.
Smriti Mandhana’s fluent century, Shweta Sehrawat Rawal’s career-best 122, and Jemimah Rodrigues’ composed finishing guided India to a mammoth 340 for 3 in their allotted overs. In reply, New Zealand’s chase faltered despite defiant efforts from Brooke Halliday and Isabella Gaze, who posted fighting fifties. But frequent strikes from Renuka Singh and Saika Ishaque kept the pressure on, leaving the White Ferns short on the DLS-adjusted target. See also: Sutherland, Gardner Star in Record 180* Partnership
Mandhana and Rawal Lead a Statement Batting Display
India’s top order, so often scrutinized for inconsistency in recent games, found perfect rhythm when it mattered most. After a cautious start, openers Smriti Mandhana and Shweta Sehrawat Rawal blossomed into an unstoppable partnership, treating the Navi Mumbai crowd to an exhibition of strokeplay and dominance.
Mandhana, who had been under pressure after a quiet patch, rediscovered her effortless timing. Driving through the covers, pulling with precision, and rotating strike smartly, she constructed a graceful 109 off 112 balls — a quintessential innings that married poise and aggression.
Rawal, meanwhile, played the innings of her young ODI career. Showing maturity well beyond her years, she complemented Mandhana perfectly, anchoring one end and accelerating when required. Her 122 came from just 128 balls, featuring 14 boundaries and controlled aggression down the ground. She rarely lost composure even as New Zealand’s bowlers toiled under the Mumbai sun.
Partnership That Defined the Contest
Their 221-run opening stand laid the ideal platform for India. It also marked India Women’s highest opening partnership in the ongoing World Cup, breaking the previous record held by Mandhana and Shafali Verma. The chemistry between Mandhana and Rawal was evident — they read each other’s intent, converted singles into twos, and never allowed the Kiwi bowlers to regain control.
New Zealand’s bowlers—Lea Tahuhu, Jess Kerr, and Fran Jonas—struggled to find discipline. They mixed their lengths, often bowling too short or too full, and India capitalized on every loose delivery. By the halfway mark, India had already moved past 140 without the loss of a wicket, and the White Ferns looked visibly deflated.
Mandhana’s eventual dismissal, courtesy of a mistimed loft off Tahuhu, ended a majestic innings but failed to halt India’s momentum. The platform she and Rawal built ensured that the middle order could attack freely.
Rodrigues Keeps the Tempo High
Once the openers departed, Jemimah Rodrigues took center stage. Coming in at No. 3, she played with intent from the outset, recognizing the need to maintain India’s run-rate. Rodrigues struck an unbeaten 76 off 52 balls — an innings brimming with confidence and power. Her innovative shot-making, including deft late cuts and precise drives, ensured India finished strong.
Rodrigues’ partnership with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur added a further 80 runs in quick time. The Indian captain, although not at her destructive best, chipped in with a brisk 26 before falling to a sharp return catch by Amelia Kerr. Rodrigues, however, ensured that India crossed the 300 mark well before the closing overs, guiding the total to an imposing 340 for 3 by the time the innings closed.
The sustained aggression and composure showcased by the batting unit reflected India’s resolve to shake off recent disappointments. After three consecutive defeats, this was a statement innings of control, precision, and authority.
New Zealand’s Chase Falters Early
Faced with a colossal target, New Zealand needed an extraordinary start. However, the Indian new-ball pair of Renuka Singh and Titas Sadhu delivered a double blow that immediately derailed New Zealand’s chase. Renuka’s ability to swing the ball both ways was once again evident as she dismissed Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine cheaply.
Devine’s early departure — edging behind after an indecisive stroke — dented New Zealand’s hopes of a solid foundation. At 27 for 2, pressure mounted quickly. Amelia Kerr’s brief counterattack ended when she misread a slower delivery from Pooja Vastrakar and holed out to deep midwicket.
From there, New Zealand’s innings became an exercise in resolve rather than pursuit.
Halliday and Gaze Offer Resistance
Amidst the wreckage, Brooke Halliday and Isabella Gaze revived New Zealand’s innings with a spirited partnership for the fifth wicket. Halliday’s 81 was a picture of determination, featuring clever rotation and deft placement. She targeted gaps square of the wicket and milked the spinners effectively to keep the scoreboard ticking.
At the other end, Gaze played her natural game, holding firm with an unbeaten 65. Together, they added 101 runs and briefly rekindled hopes of a comeback. However, once Halliday fell trying to accelerate against Mannat Kashyap’s spin, the asking rate ballooned beyond recovery.
India’s fielding — often criticized earlier in the tournament — was sharp and disciplined. The boundary riders saved crucial runs while Rodrigues and Kaur were involved in quick, athletic stops inside the circle that maintained pressure throughout the innings.
Renuka and Gaud Deliver with the Ball
Renuka Singh was outstanding with the new ball once again, using subtle seam movement to unsettle New Zealand’s top order. Her final figures of 2 for 25 from nine overs highlighted her growing stature as one of India’s most reliable limited-overs bowlers.
Left-arm spinner Shreyanka Patil Gaud chipped in crucially with two wickets, including the key scalp of Amelia Kerr. Her control and variations in pace disrupted New Zealand’s rhythm during the middle overs.
Pooja Vastrakar, Ishaque, and Deepti Sharma also contributed economical spells, ensuring that New Zealand never achieved the acceleration required in the latter half of the chase. By the 40th over, the White Ferns were well adrift of the DLS target, sealing India’s 53-run win when rain shortened the remaining overs.
Redemption After Three Straight Losses
The victory carried immense psychological weight. Coming off a string of three defeats — including narrow losses to England and South Africa — India were aware that another slip would end their campaign prematurely. Thursday’s commanding performance, therefore, served as both redemption and reinvigoration.
Harmanpreet Kaur praised her team’s resilience in the post-match presentation, emphasizing the collective spirit that brought them back on track. “This group knows how to respond under pressure,†she said. “We backed our batting strength, and Smriti, Shweta, and Jemimah showed incredible intent. Every department stepped up, and qualifying for the semis was always our goal.â€
Qualification Confirmed: The Path Ahead
With this win, India locked their place in the semi-finals, beating New Zealand on the count of victories after both sides finished equal on points. The opponent for India’s semi-final will be determined after the South Africa vs Australia match on Saturday — a high-stakes encounter that will finalize the knockout brackets.
If Australia triumphs, India will likely face England; if South Africa pulls off an upset, India might meet Australia again — a matchup that evokes memories of their 2017 and 2020 knockout battles.
For now, India’s camp can breathe easier. The batting clicked, the bowlers executed plans with discipline, and the energy in the field reflected a side once again enjoying its cricket. Confidence restored, India looks well-poised to mount a serious challenge for the title.
Player of the Match: Shweta Sehrawat Rawal
Rawal’s elegant 122 stood out not just for its technical class but also for the composure she displayed. In only her 15th ODI appearance, she looked every bit a seasoned campaigner, conserving energy through regular strike rotation and picking her moments to accelerate.
In the presentation ceremony, Rawal credited the backing she received from Mandhana at the other end: “Smriti kept reminding me to stay calm and trust my strengths. Batting with her made it easier — we wanted to set a strong base, and it worked perfectly.â€
Her century not only propelled India into the last four but also established her as one of the breakout stars of the tournament.
A Team Reborn in Time
The transformation in India’s approach was evident in all facets. From the proactive intent in batting to the clarity of bowling plans, this was a reinvigorated display. The dressing room atmosphere, after days of scrutiny, now seems unified and confident heading into the semis.
Smriti Mandhana’s form return, alongside Jemimah Rodrigues’ aggression and Harmanpreet’s leadership, has reignited India’s hopes of a maiden Women’s World Cup crown. The team’s ability to perform under pressure, especially after a rough patch, demonstrates the mental toughness shaping this generation of Indian cricketers.
Conclusion: Confidence Rekindled Before the Knockouts
India’s emphatic 53-run victory via the DLS method wasn’t just a triumph on the scorecard — it was a revival of belief. The blend of youth and experience clicked to perfection, with every player contributing to the team’s resurgence.
New Zealand fought bravely but were outclassed in execution and temperament. For India, this result reasserted their position among the world’s elite, handing them renewed momentum at precisely the right stage of the tournament.
As the semi-finals beckon, India can take immense pride and confidence in knowing they’ve peaked again, right when the stakes demanded it the most.
