Mumbai: India booked their place in the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup India 2025 with a comprehensive win against New Zealand. The victory, led by Smriti Mandhana’s match-defining century and strong performances from Jemimah Rodrigues and Pratika Rawal, helped India bounce back. Speaking on ‘Rexona Cricket Live’, JioStar experts Mithali Raj and Anjum Chopra spoke about India’s performance, the significance of the win, and the key contributions that powered India into the knockout stage.
Speaking on ‘Rexona Cricket Live’, JioStar expert Mithali Raj elaborated on India’s performance: “Smriti was relieved, and so are all of us that India have qualified for the semi-finals. But yes, it required a lot from this Indian team. Starting with the batting innings — the openers set a solid foundation, backed by Jemimah Rodrigues, coming in at number three after missing the last game. She proved why she still adds immense value to this batting line-up. Once that momentum was established, it carried into the bowling innings as well. Overall, I think India really dug deep, knowing the significance of this big game, and everyone stepped up.”
JioStar expert Anjum Chopra weighed in on India’s overall performance: “A victory was essential, but this was also a statement win. Scoring over 320 runs and putting the batters in a position of control was significant. Against Australia and South Africa earlier, they stumbled, but after the loss to England, this match provided assurance and self-belief. It was a relief — the two points secured qualification, but there’s still reflection needed. Beyond the batting, the key question remains — can we consistently restrict oppositions to manageable totals if we are to chase or defend 300-plus scores?”
Anjum on Smriti Mandhana’s century: “The fact that Smriti Mandhana scored those valuable runs was essential. She mentioned herself that this win felt like a relief, but how she got that hundred was more important. She had two scores in the 80s earlier — good starts, but not big enough. This time, she went on to convert. Around the 75–78 mark, she looked fatigued, even started to walk back after thinking she was out before Pratika Rahul convinced her to take the review — which showed a faint inside edge and saved her. The next 20–25 runs came from a different Smriti Mandhana altogether, composed and aggressive. But there’s also a lesson: when she tries to force an aerial shot or rush a stroke, that’s where opponents can sense a chance. While this was a match-winning effort, identifying those small vulnerabilities will be key going forward.”
Anjum on Smriti–Pratika partnership: “What makes Smriti and Pratika’s partnership special is their calmness and clarity. They understand their roles perfectly. Smriti even mentioned after winning Player of the Match that they focus on playing their individual games and trust that the partnership will deliver results. For any opening pair, understanding each other’s strengths and complementing them is crucial. What’s most impressive about Pratika Rawal is her evolution, from a domestic cricketer, who doesn’t play in the WPL to becoming a consistent international performer. She’s delivered under pressure — against Ireland, West Indies, and in tough conditions in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Her effort and composure stand out more than the numbers. A thousand runs in 23 innings is impressive, but the way she’s handled expectations is what makes her journey remarkable.”
Mithali on Jemimah Rodrigues’ innings: “Coming back into the XI after being sidelined against England and walking in at number three for a big game, that was a test of character. The timing of her entry was ideal; it’s a phase she’s comfortable in, and it allowed her to settle. Having Pratika Rawal at the other end, someone calm and communicative, helped too. One thing that stood out was her shot selection. Early in the tournament, she got out playing sweeps, but today, once set, she looked to play more in front of the stumps and used her footwork beautifully. That’s the Jemimah Rodrigues we know, confident, fluent, and expressive. It was a well-compiled half-century.”
