India’s top-order batters delivered a collective masterclass to propel the hosts into the 2025 Women’s World Cup semifinals. Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana smashed brilliant centuries, while Jemimah Rodrigues shone brightly on her comeback to the XI, as the trio powered India to their highest-ever World Cup total on Thursday (October 23). Setting a formidable 340/3, India virtually sealed their semifinal berth, with New Zealand falling 53 runs short under the DLS method.
Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana setup an enormous target for New Zealand
India dominated the contest from the very beginning, even after losing the toss. The start was cautious, with just 6 runs coming in the first four overs. The momentum shifted when Pratika Rawal struck two boundaries off Rosemary Mair, setting the tone for the innings. As usual, Smriti Mandhana took charge, finding her rhythm with fluent boundaries during the latter part of the first powerplay. Though the scoring rate remained modest at first, Mandhana began accelerating, hitting her second six and eventually bringing up her third consecutive half-century.
As the partnership flourished past the 100-run mark, both batters continued piling up runs with confidence. Rawal notched her fifty in typical composed style, taking 75 balls to reach the milestone, while Mandhana’s strike rate soared above 100, giving India complete control by the halfway stage. With all ten wickets intact, Rawal joined the attack, finding the fence regularly with stylish strokes off Lea Tahuhu. Mandhana, meanwhile, powered into the 90s with audacious shots off Amelia Kerr before reaching her 14th ODI century, a moment that delighted the home crowd.
New Zealand finally found some relief when Suzie Bates ended the massive double-century stand by dismissing Mandhana, who mistimed a slog sweep. However, Jemimah Rodrigues walked in with determination and instantly lifted the scoring rate with crisp boundaries. Rawal soon celebrated her maiden World Cup hundred and followed it up with a six that underlined her attacking intent. Rodrigues’ fluent stroke play then became the highlight, as she blazed to 39 from just 28 balls, keeping India’s run rate flying high.
Once Rawal departed for a sublime 122, Rodrigues expertly shouldered the responsibility, reaching her half-century off a mere 39 deliveries. Her adaptability and aggressive shot selection ensured India maintained their dominance throughout. A brief rain interruption with two overs remaining caused a minor delay, but India came back to add 11 more runs in the final over. Their effort culminated in posting their highest-ever total in a Women’s World Cup match, solidifying a statement performance heading into the semifinals.
New Zealand fail to chase the DLS target
Rain forced a revision in the target, with New Zealand needing 325 runs in 44 overs. Their chase began on a shaky note as Suzie Bates was dismissed in the second over, setting them back early. India’s new-ball duo tightened the screws, allowing only 14 runs in the first six overs and giving nothing away. Georgia Plimmer tried to inject momentum into the innings, striking a series of boundaries and following up with a six and a four off Sneh Rana’s first over to give New Zealand brief respite.
However, India regained full control soon after. Renuka Singh, in fine rhythm, dismissed Plimmer when she chopped one onto her stumps at the end of the powerplay, and then sent back skipper Sophie Devine in her next over with a peach of a delivery. That double strike left New Zealand reeling early in the chase. Amelia Kerr and Brooke Halliday attempted to rebuild, but India’s disciplined bowling kept the run rate climbing steadily, forcing Kerr to take risks that led to her downfall.
Brooke Halliday then took charge, playing sensibly to reach a half-century and keeping the required rate within sight for a while. She paired well with Isabelle Gaze to stitch a handy stand, but the scoring pressure persisted as India’s bowlers continued to strike at regular intervals. The mounting required rate eventually became unmanageable, leaving New Zealand needing well over eight an over in the final stages.
Even as the chase lost direction, Gaze and Jess Kerr fought valiantly towards the end. Gaze displayed grit to reach her own fifty, while both batters struck a few powerful blows in the closing moments. Their late charge, however, only trimmed the deficit, as India comfortably sealed victory by 53 runs under the DLS method to storm into the semifinals with momentum on their side.
Scorecard: India 340/3 in 49 overs (Pratika Rawal 122, Smriti Mandhana 109, Jemimah Rodrigues 76*) beat New Zealand 271/8 in 44 overs (Brooke Halliday 81, Isabelle Gaze 65*; Renuka Singh Thakur 2/25) by 53 runs (DLS method).