When Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal stepped onto the pitch at the Navi Mumbai stadium on October 23, 2025, they weren’t just playing a match—they were playing for survival. With the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 hanging in the balance, India and New Zealand both knew this was a do-or-die game. What followed wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. India posted 340 for 3, fueled by twin centuries from their openers, and then bowled out New Zealand’s chase before rain ended the match, sealing a 53-run DLS victory and sending the hosts into the semifinals.
Openers Ignite the Innings
It started slowly—too slowly, some thought. After 4.3 overs, India had just 11 runs on the board, their first boundary coming off Rosemary Mair’s bowling. That was the longest India had taken to find a boundary in the entire tournament. But then came the spark. Mandhana, calm as ever, cracked a six off Amelia Kerr in the 16th over. By the 33rd over, the pair had turned the game on its head: Pratika swept Jess Kerr for four, then Mandhana launched a monster six over deep square leg. Sixteen runs off that over. The crowd roared. By the time Pratika reached her century—her first in a World Cup—it wasn’t just a milestone. It was a moment etched into Indian women’s cricket history.
India’s Batting Firepower
There’s a quiet confidence that comes with having two openers who can dismantle any attack. Mandhana finished with 147 off 128 balls, her strike rate a blistering 114.8. Pratika, just 25, made 122 off 114, hitting 15 fours and six sixes. Their 211-run stand for the first wicket was the highest of the tournament so far. Even after their partnership ended, Harleen Deol and Jemimah Rodrigues added quickfire 67 and 42 respectively, ensuring India didn’t slow down. The total of 340 for 3 wasn’t just a number—it was a psychological blow. New Zealand, who’d averaged 268 in their previous matches, suddenly looked outclassed.
New Zealand’s Fight and Fall
It wasn’t over until the rain came. Sophie Devine, New Zealand’s captain and talisman, walked in at 15 for 1, her team’s hopes resting on her shoulders. But Renuka Singh Thakur had other ideas. In the 12th over, a sharp outswinger caught Devine’s edge—dismissed for just 6. The over read: 1, 0, W, L4, 0, 0. The momentum shifted. Then came Sneh Rana. At 21 overs, with New Zealand at 115 for 4, Rana trapped Amelia Kerr lbw. The dismissal was clean: 45 off 53 balls, caught by Mandhana at short mid-wicket. The crowd stood. The scoreboard blinked: 210 needed in 23 overs.
The Turning Point: Maddy Green’s Brief Surge
For a moment, it looked like New Zealand might claw back. Maddy Green, 30, smashed consecutive fours off Kranti Gaud in the 24th over—one in front of square, the other over mid-on. Ten runs off the over. The score jumped to 130 for 4. Brooke Halliday, 27, was looking dangerous, too, with 30 off 39. But the pressure was relentless. India’s fielding was tight. The spinners held the middle. And then, with 21 overs left and 205 needed, the skies opened. The DLS target dropped from 341 to 271 in 49 overs. But the damage was done. New Zealand had lost their momentum—and their belief.
Why This Win Matters
This wasn’t just about advancing to the semifinals. It was about legacy. India hadn’t won a Women’s World Cup since 2005. The 2025 edition, hosted on home soil, carried immense pressure. Mandhana, as captain, had been criticized for inconsistent leadership. Rawal, a relative newcomer, had been overlooked in previous squads. Their partnership changed the narrative. The win also exposed cracks in New Zealand’s middle order—once their strength, now their Achilles’ heel. The ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 had been billed as the most competitive yet. This match proved it.
What Comes Next
India now faces Australia in the semifinal, a rematch of the 2022 final. Australia, undefeated so far, will be favorites. But India’s confidence is sky-high. The bowling attack—led by Renuka and Sneh—has found rhythm. The batting, now anchored by Mandhana and Rawal, looks unstoppable. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s campaign ends with a bitter taste. Their captain, Sophie Devine, may be playing her last World Cup. The team’s reliance on a few stars, and lack of depth beyond them, was exposed.
Historical Context: India’s Rise in Women’s Cricket
India’s journey in women’s cricket has been slow but steady. In 2005, they reached the final but lost to Australia. For nearly two decades, they were perennial contenders but never champions. The 2017 final loss to England was a turning point—it sparked investment, better training facilities, and professional contracts. Now, with the 2025 tournament, India isn’t just competing—they’re dominating. The 340-run total here was the highest by any team in this edition. And if they win the final, as predicted, they’ll claim their first-ever World Cup title—a moment decades in the making.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Pratika Rawal’s century impact India’s campaign?
Pratika Rawal’s 122 was her maiden World Cup century and the first by an Indian opener in this tournament. It signaled the arrival of a new batting force, easing pressure on Smriti Mandhana and giving India a stable, aggressive foundation. Her strike rate of 107 across 114 balls proved India now has depth beyond its established stars, a key factor in their semifinal qualification.
Why was the DLS method applied, and how did it affect the result?
Rain interrupted play in the 24th over of New Zealand’s chase, reducing their overs from 50 to 49. The DLS method recalculated their target from 341 to 271 in 49 overs. While New Zealand needed 205 runs in 21 overs before the rain, the revised target was mathematically unattainable given their scoring rate and wickets lost. The method favored India, who had built a large total, and ensured the result reflected the match’s momentum.
Who were the key bowlers for India, and what made them effective?
Renuka Singh Thakur (27) and Sneh Rana (29) were the standout bowlers. Renuka’s early strike on Sophie Devine broke New Zealand’s backbone, while Rana’s precision with the off-spin trapped Amelia Kerr, the match’s top scorer. Both bowled economically—Renuka conceded just 38 runs in 8 overs, and Rana’s spell of 4-0-39-1 was crucial in stifling the middle overs. Their ability to vary pace and flight disrupted New Zealand’s rhythm.
How did this match compare to previous India-New Zealand encounters in World Cups?
In their last World Cup meeting in 2022, New Zealand won by 6 wickets in a tense chase. This time, India didn’t just win—they dominated. The 340-run total was the highest ever posted by India against New Zealand in a World Cup. The 53-run DLS margin was also the largest win over them in tournament history. India’s batting depth and New Zealand’s lack of middle-order resilience marked a clear shift in power dynamics.
What does this win mean for India’s chances in the final?
India now enters the semifinal as the hottest team in the tournament. With three batters averaging over 60, a balanced bowling attack, and home crowd support, they’re strong favorites against Australia. If they win, they’ll become the first Asian team to lift the Women’s World Cup. The pressure is immense—but so is their belief. After this performance, anything feels possible.
Why was Brooke Halliday’s half-century not enough for New Zealand?
Brooke Halliday’s 50 off 73 balls was a fine effort, but she had little support. New Zealand’s top order collapsed early, and their next highest scorer, Maddy Green, managed just 22. With no one else crossing 30, Halliday’s knock was isolated. In modern cricket, a half-century isn’t enough unless backed by at least two other 40+ scores. India’s disciplined bowling and fielding ensured no one else could build on her start.