India Women vs New Zealand Women—A Dominating Win Seals the Semifinal Spot
The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 witnessed a thrilling clash between the India Women’s National Cricket Team and the New Zealand Women’s National Cricket Team. This high-voltage match not only entertained fans across the globe but also confirmed India’s position in the semifinals with a spectacular all-round performance.
Match Overview
India Women faced New Zealand Women in a crucial group-stage encounter at Navi Mumbai. With both teams vying for a semifinal berth, the stakes were high. India won the toss and elected to bat first, taking full advantage of the batting-friendly conditions.
India’s First Innings—Batting Brilliance
The Indian openers came out firing on all cylinders. Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal built a massive partnership that set the tone for the innings. Their aggressive approach left New Zealand bowlers struggling for answers.
- Smriti Mandhana – 109 (95 balls)
- Pratika Rawal – 122 (112 balls)
- Jemimah Rodrigues – 76* (55 balls)
Mandhana’s century was elegant and powerful—a true captain’s knock. Rawal complemented her perfectly, rotating strike and punishing loose deliveries. The duo added 212 runs for the opening partnership, a record-breaking stand in the 2025 World Cup.
Rodrigues’ explosive finishing helped India post a mammoth total of 340/3 in 49 overs.
India’s Scorecard
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s/6s |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smriti Mandhana | 109 | 95 | 12/2 |
| Pratika Rawal | 122 | 112 | 14/3 |
| Jemimah Rodrigues | 76* | 55 | 9/1 |
| Deepti Sharma | 15* | 13 | 1/0 |
| Extras | 18 | – | – |
| Total | 340/3 | 49 overs | – |
Rain & Target Revision – DLS Comes Into Play
Rain interrupted the innings break, leading to a revised target for New Zealand. Under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, New Zealand was given a target of 325 runs in 44 overs.
New Zealand’s Chase—A Fight That Fell Short
Chasing a daunting total, New Zealand started cautiously but lost early wickets. Indian bowlers capitalized on the pressure, maintaining discipline throughout the innings. Despite resistance from Brooke Halliday (81) and Isabella Gaze (65*), New Zealand could not match the required run rate.
New Zealand’s Scorecard
| Player | Runs | Balls | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brooke Halliday | 81 | 84 | c Rodrigues b Deepti |
| Isabella Gaze | 65* | 70 | Not Out |
| Suzy Bates | 28 | 31 | lbw Renuka |
| Sophie Devine (C) | 19 | 25 | b Pooja |
| Amelia Kerr | 21 | 26 | c Mandhana b Radha |
| Extras | 36 | – | – |
| Total | 271/8 | 44 overs | – |
India won by 53 runs (DLS method).
Key Turning Points
- India’s 212-run opening stand destroyed New Zealand’s bowling plans.
- Mandhana’s composed century boosted morale and run rate.
- Rodrigues’ late flourish ensured a target beyond NZ’s comfort zone.
- India’s disciplined bowling during middle overs sealed control.
- New Zealand’s slow start after rain cost them momentum.
Player of the Match
Smriti Mandhana—for her exceptional 109-run knock under pressure, guiding India to a commanding total and leading by example.
Match Summary
| Venue: | Navi Mumbai |
| Toss: | India elected to bat |
| Result: | India Women won by 53 runs (DLS) |
| India: | 340/3 (49 overs) |
| New Zealand: | 271/8 (44 overs, target 325) |
| Player of the Match: | Smriti Mandhana |
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Tactical Takeaways
For India:
- Batting first on a good wicket paid off.
- Top order showed aggression with smart shot selection.
- Bowlers handled pressure effectively during powerplay and death overs.
- Momentum gained heading into semifinals.
For New Zealand:
- Needed early breakthroughs to restrict India’s score.
- Middle-order lacked acceleration during the chase.
- Bowling strategy must adapt to flat pitches.
Why This Win Matters
This victory secured India’s spot in the semifinals of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025. It reinforced their dominance in world cricket and proved their ability to perform under pressure.
For New Zealand, it was a lesson in consistency and adaptability. While their fight was commendable, the inability to take early wickets and maintain partnerships hurt their chances.
Final Thoughts
The India vs New Zealand women’s clash was a true spectacle of modern cricket—power-hitting, strategic fielding, and fearless play. India’s victory wasn’t just about runs and wickets; it was about belief, preparation, and teamwork.
As the tournament progresses, India’s confidence is sky-high. If they carry this momentum into the semifinals, they could very well be on their way to lifting the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.
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