Navi Mumbai – Smriti Mandhana (109) and Prabha Rawal (122) delivered brilliant centuries as the Indian women’s cricket team, led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, defeated New Zealand by 53 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method in a rain-affected ICC Women’s ODI World Cup match, securing a spot in the semifinals. India became the fourth team to qualify for the final four, joining Australia, South Africa, and England.
Record 212-Run Opening Partnership
At DY Patil Stadium, India needed a victory after losing their last three matches. Mandhana and Rawal laid the foundation with a record-breaking 212-run opening stand. Jemima Rodrigues contributed an aggressive 76 not out, helping India post 340/3 in 49 overs.
Rain Alters the Game
Rain caused a 90-minute interruption in India’s innings and reduced the match to 49 overs per side. After India’s innings, further rain led to a revised target of 325 in 44 overs for New Zealand.
India’s Bowling Shines
New Zealand’s chase faltered early. Suzie Bates was caught off Kranti Gaur’s delivery in the second over. Renuka Singh dismissed Georgia Plimmer (30) and Sophie Devine (6) to reduce the score to 59/3. Amelia Kerr (45) fell to Sneh Rana’s delivery, and Maddie Green (18) was caught off Gaur’s bowling.
Brook Halliday (81) and Isabel Geer (65*) fought back, but New Zealand managed only 271/8 in 44 overs. Renuka Singh and Kranti Gaur took 2 wickets each, while Sneh Rana, Shri Charani, Deepti Sharma, and Rawal picked one wicket apiece.
Mandhana and Rawal Shine
Mandhana reached her third World Cup century in 95 balls, hitting 10 fours and 4 sixes, marking her fifth ODI century of the year. Rawal scored her first World Cup century off 134 balls, with 13 fours and 2 sixes. Their 212-run partnership is India’s highest for any wicket in World Cup history, while Rawal also shared a 76-run stand with Rodrigues.
Rodrigues’ Aggressive Comeback
Jemima Rodrigues returned after being benched in the previous match and struck 76 not out in 55 balls, including the fastest half-century of the tournament in 39 balls, hitting three consecutive fours in the 46th over.
Semifinal Ahead
This emphatic win not only sealed India’s semifinal berth but also boosted team morale. With Mandhana, Rawal, and Rodrigues in form, India enters the final four with strong momentum.
