India finally found their spark when it mattered most. A record-breaking batting display, led by Smriti Mandhana’s blistering century and Pratika Rawal’s maiden World Cup hundred, propelled India to a commanding 53-run (DLS) win over New Zealand at DY Patil Stadium a result that sealed their place in the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup semifinals.
After three consecutive losses, India’s campaign had been teetering on the edge, but under lights in Navi Mumbai, they produced one of their finest all-round performances in recent memory. Their 340/3 despite losing an over to rain was India’s highest-ever total at a Women’s World Cup. The margin of victory, coupled with the significance of qualification, made it even sweeter.
It was a night that belonged to India’s openers. Smriti Mandhana, the vice-captain, produced an innings of pure class, smashing 109 off 88 balls, her third World Cup hundred and her fastest in the tournament’s history, surpassing Harmanpreet Kaur’s 90-ball ton against Australia in 2017. Her partner, Pratika Rawal, was equally impressive. The young opener crafted a superb 122 off 134 balls, bringing up her maiden World Cup century. Together, they stitched a monumental 212-run opening partnership, the highest for India in Women’s World Cup history, and the third instance overall where both openers reached three figures in a World Cup innings following England in 1973 and Australia in 1988.
The stand not only set the tone for the game but also redefined India’s approach aggressive yet calculated, anchored yet fearless.
Mandhana’s Milestone March
Mandhana’s innings was more than just a hundred; it was a statement. Her knock, punctuated by crisp drives and effortless pulls, reaffirmed her status among the world’s elite. In doing so, she moved to 14 ODI centuries, just one behind Meg Lanning’s all-time record of 15. Remarkably, nine of those have come since the start of 2024 a period that alone would place her among the top six women for most ODI hundreds. She also joined South Africa’s Tazmin Brits as the only two women to score five ODI centuries in a calendar year.
With every boundary, Mandhana seemed to peel away the pressure of India’s campaign. When she reached her century in 88 balls, it became India’s fastest World Cup ton another mark of her growing dominance on the global stage.
For Pratika Rawal, the night was doubly special. Her composed hundred not only anchored India’s innings but also marked a significant career milestone she became the joint-fastest woman to reach 1,000 ODI runs, doing so in just 23 innings, equalling Australian great Lindsay Reeler’s 37-year-old record. Rawal’s calmness at the crease complemented Mandhana’s fluency, and when the vice-captain departed, she continued to bat with maturity, rotating strike and allowing Jemimah Rodrigues to accelerate.
Her contribution didn’t end there Rawal also took a catch and claimed a wicket with her medium pace, becoming the first Indian woman ever to score a century, take a wicket, and a catch in the same ODI. Jemimah Rodrigues added the finishing touches with a blazing 76 not out off 55 balls, her first World Cup fifty. Her innings, played at a strike rate of 138.18, was the fourth-fastest 50+ score by an Indian at the World Cup, powering India past 340 before rain briefly intervened.
It was also the first instance in Women’s World Cup history where all top three Indian batters scored 75 or more runs in the same innings a testament to the top-order dominance that New Zealand simply had no answers for.
New Zealand Falter Despite Halliday’s Fight
Faced with a daunting DLS target of 325 in 44 overs, New Zealand needed an extraordinary chase. But Renuka Singh’s early breakthroughs (2/25) and consistent pressure from India’s attack meant the White Ferns never truly found momentum. Still, Brooke Halliday offered resistance with a fighting 81 off 84 balls, her second fifty of the tournament, while Izzy Gaze impressed with an unbeaten 65, the highest score ever by a New Zealand batter batting at No. 7 or lower in a Women’s World Cup match.
Despite their effort, New Zealand’s 271/8 fell well short, though it was their highest total against India at a World Cup, highlighting the batting-friendly surface and the tournament’s growing scoring trend. The aggregate of 611 runs in the match was the highest ever for an India–New Zealand women’s ODI, underscoring the evolving power game in modern women’s cricket.
The result confirmed India’s passage to the semifinals for the sixth time in their 11 World Cup appearances, joining Australia, South Africa, and England in the final four. For New Zealand, however, it marked their third consecutive group-stage exit, a worrying pattern for a team once synonymous with consistency at global tournaments. This was a night that reinforced India’s depth, resilience, and belief. After the stumbles mid-tournament, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side found rhythm, unity, and aggression in perfect measure. The top order clicked, the bowlers stayed disciplined, and the fielding looked sharper than ever.
As India look ahead to the knockouts, their blend of experience and youthful exuberance symbolized by Mandhana’s leadership and Rawal’s emergence could prove decisive.
Score Summary India: 340/3 (49 overs)
Smriti Mandhana 109 (88), Pratika Rawal 122 (134), Jemimah Rodrigues 76 (55)
New Zealand: 271/8 (44 overs, DLS target 325)
Brooke Halliday 81 (84), Izzy Gaze 65 (61); Renuka Singh 2/25, Pratika Rawal 1/19*
India won by 53 runs (DLS). Player of the Match: Smriti Mandhana.
India’s semifinal qualification wasn’t just about numbers it was about rediscovering purpose. After all the doubts, they didn’t just win; they announced that they belong among the world’s elite.
