IND vs NZ: Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal power India into the semifinals of Women’s World Cup 2025

India returned to winning ways in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 with a comprehensive 53-run (DLS) victory over New Zealand at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on Thursday. A record-breaking opening partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal set the tone for a commanding win, with both batters registering sublime centuries.

Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal lead India’s batting brilliance

Opting to bat first after New Zealand chose to bowl, India piled up a mammoth 340/3 in 49 overs. The innings was anchored by Rawal’s classy 122 off 134 balls and Mandhana’s blistering 109 off 95 deliveries. The duo added a spectacular 214-run stand for the opening wicket – India’s highest partnership of the tournament so far – dismantling the White Ferns’ bowling attack with elegant stroke play and measured aggression.

Mandhana was particularly fluent through the off side, smashing 10 fours and 4 sixes, while Rawal’s innings was built on composure and placement, highlighted by 13 fours and two maximums. Their partnership laid the perfect foundation for a late flourish, with Jemimah Rodrigues (76 off 55) providing the finishing touch. Her fluent knock, laced with 11 boundaries, propelled India past the 300-run mark before rain briefly interrupted play.

New Zealand’s bowlers toil as India dominate the middle overs

New Zealand’s bowling unit struggled to contain India’s charge on a flat batting surface. None of the bowlers managed to create consistent pressure, with Amelia Kerr (1/69) and Rosemary Mair (1/52) being the only wicket-takers of note. Captain Sophie Devine’s decision to bowl first backfired as India’s openers made full use of the fielding restrictions and punished loose deliveries throughout.

The absence of breakthroughs in the powerplay hurt New Zealand’s momentum, allowing India to dictate terms in the middle overs. Even experienced campaigners like Lea Tahuhu and Jess Kerr failed to extract swing or seam movement, leaving the White Ferns chasing leather for most of the innings.

Brooke Halliday and Izzy Gaze fight hard for New Zealand

Chasing a revised target of 324 in 44 overs (DLS method), New Zealand Women faltered early as Renuka Thakur dismissed veteran Suzie Bates (1) cheaply. Despite a brief counterattack from Georgia Plimmer (30 off 25) and Amelia Kerr (45 off 53), regular wickets kept pegging the visitors back.

Middle-order batter Brooke Halliday offered strong resistance with a fluent 81 off 84 balls, striking nine fours and a six, while young Izzy Gaze impressed with a composed 65 off 51 deliveries. Their 72-run stand briefly revived hopes for New Zealand, but India’s bowling unit tightened control in the final overs.

Kranti Goud (2/48) and Renuka Thakur (2/25) were the standout bowlers, supported well by Sneh Rana and Deepti Sharma, who picked up a wicket apiece. Pratika Rawal capped her memorable day with a wicket in her four-over spell, removing the dangerous Halliday just as she looked set for a late assault.

🇮🇳 into the semifinals!
Comprehensive win for Team India against the White Ferns 🙂#cricket #INDvNZ #CWC25 #ODI pic.twitter.com/GVcSnVlnyi
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) October 23, 2025

Also READ: Fans react as Pratika Rawal smashes maiden World Cup century for India against New Zealand

Player of the Match

For her stunning century and composed leadership at the top, Smriti Mandhana was named Player of the Match. Her innings not only set up the victory but also reinforced her status as one of the tournament’ premier performers.