Navi Mumbai, Oct 23: A resurgent Team India stormed into the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup with a commanding 53-run victory over New Zealand via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method on Thursday, thanks to breathtaking centuries from Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal.
After suffering three consecutive defeats earlier in the tournament, India entered the must-win clash under mounting pressure. But the script was rewritten in style at the D.Y. Patil Stadium, where the top order fired as one, and the bowlers maintained their composure to deliver a complete performance when it mattered most.
Put into bat first, India made the most of favourable conditions, posting a mammoth 340 for 3 in 49 overs, their highest total in Women’s World Cup history. The innings was anchored by two exceptional performances — Mandhana’s fluent 109 off 95 balls and Rawal’s authoritative 122 off 134 deliveries.
The pair combined in a 212-run partnership for the second wicket, blunting the Kiwi attack with a mix of elegance and aggression. Mandhana was at her imperious best, peppering the boundary with her signature drives and pull shots, while Rawal played the anchor’s role to perfection, showcasing impeccable timing and shot selection.Their stand not only steadied India after a cautious start but also broke the psychological barrier that had haunted the team in recent matches.
After a brief rain interruption towards the end of the first innings, the match was reduced to 49 overs per side. In the death overs, Jemimah Rodrigues added the finishing touches, smashing an unbeaten 76 off just 55 balls, ensuring India crossed the 340-mark with authority.
New Zealand’s chase was further complicated when rain returned, forcing another adjustment to the target — revised to 325 runs in 44 overs. Despite a valiant effort, the White Ferns were restricted to 271 for eight, falling short by 53 runs.
Brooke Halliday top-scored with a gritty 81 off 84 balls, while Isabella Gaze provided support with a fluent 65 off 51 balls. The duo momentarily revived New Zealand’s hopes with a fighting partnership, but once they departed, India’s spinners tightened the screws.
The bowling unit, led by Pooja Vastrakar and Deepti Sharma, maintained discipline through the middle overs. Fielding, too, was sharp — a welcome turnaround after earlier lapses in the tournament.
The victory carried immense significance for India, not just in points but in confidence. (PTI)
BRIEF SCORE
India: 340/3 in 49 overs (Smriti Mandhana 109, Pratika Rawal 122, Jemimah Rodrigues 76).
New Zealand: 271/8 in 44 overs (Brooke Halliday 81, Isabella Gaze 65 not out; Renuka Singh Thakur 2/25).
