Fireworks erupted at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium as the Indian women’s cricket team delivered a performance for the ages. Needing a win to secure their World Cup semifinal spot, Harmanpreet Kaur’s warriors demolished New Zealand by 53 runs in a rain-affected thriller. The victory sends India through to the final four in style!
The Batting Masterclass That Shocked New Zealand
After losing the toss, India were sent in to bat under cloudy skies. What followed was pure carnage. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal ripped apart the New Zealand bowling attack in a record-shattering partnership:
| Partnership Milestone | Overs | Run Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 50 runs | 10.4 | 4.76 |
| 100 runs | 17.4 | 5.71 |
| 150 runs | 25.2 | 5.93 |
| 200 runs | 32.3 | 6.18 |
Century Heroes Shine Bright
The left-right combo tore through the bowling attack like a hot knife through butter:
- Mandhana’s 109 (95 balls): 10 fours, 4 sixes – her 14th ODI century
- Rawal’s 122 (134 balls): 13 fours, 2 sixes – maiden World Cup ton
- Jemimah Rodrigues’ blistering 76*(55): 11 boundaries
“This is what dreams are made of,” Rawal told reporters post-match. “When Smriti and I walk out together, we just focus on complementing each other’s game.”
Rain Interruptions and Revised Target
Mother Nature tried to spoil the party with two rain interruptions:
- Match reduced to 49 overs during India’s innings
- Further reduction to 44 overs before New Zealand’s chase
The DLS method set New Zealand a challenging 325-run target in 44 overs – a required rate of 7.38 runs per over from the start.
Bowlers Seal the Deal
India’s bowling unit rose to the occasion magnificently:
- Renuka Singh (2/45): Broke NZ’s backbone early
- Kranti Gaur (2/38): Crucially removed dangerous Bates
- Fielding brilliance: 3 run-outs and sharp catches
WHAT A WIN! 🇮🇳
Our women have stormed into the #CWC25 semifinals with a dominant 53-run victory over New Zealand!
Shoutout to our centurions @mandhana_smriti and @PratikaRawal15 👏
The semifinal awaits! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/example
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen)
October 23, 2025
What This Victory Means
This wasn’t just a win – it was a statement. India became the fourth team to qualify for semifinals, joining Australia, England and South Africa. The records tumbled like dominions:
| Record Broken | Details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest Opening Partnership | 212 runs (Mandhana-Rawal) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| India’s Highest WC Total | 340/3 (previous 330 vs AUS) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Semifinal Showdown: Who Awaits India?The victory sets up an epic semifinal clash at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. India will face either defending champions Australia or in-form England based on final group standings. Here’s what fans need to know:
Captain’s Corner: Harmanpreet’s Winning MindsetIndian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur beamed with pride during the post-match presentation: “This is why we play cricket – for moments like these. Our openers gave us the perfect platform, and every player contributed when it mattered.” The captain reserved special praise for 21-year-old Rawal: “To score your first World Cup century in a must-win match? That’s champion material. This team thrives under pressure.” Fielding: The Unsung HeroWhile the batters and bowlers grabbed headlines, India’s fielding made crucial differences:
Fielding coach Munish Bali couldn’t hide his excitement: “We’ve worked 18 months on creating the fittest Indian women’s team ever. Today you saw why fitness wins tournaments.” Fan Frenzy Across the NationThe historic win sent cricket lovers into celebrations mode:
Road to the Trophy: Challenges AheadWhile celebrations continue, the team knows tougher battles await. India’s semifinal record needs improvement:
Bowling coach Troy Cooley stressed the need for consistency: “We’ve shown we can beat anyone on our day. Now we need to do it back-to-back.” Injury Watch: Key Players’ FitnessMedical updates ahead of the semifinal:
The Final Word: Belief Meets OpportunityAs fireworks lit up the Navi Mumbai sky, the Indian team’s bus left the stadium with horns blaring. This victory proves they’ve moved past the “nearly women” tag. With bat, ball, and field working in harmony, and a nation of 1.4 billion cheering them on, India’s women stand ready to create history. All roads now lead to Wankhede Stadium. Will this be the tournament where India lifts the World Cup trophy after 18 long years? One thing’s certain – Mandhana, Rawal, and their fearless teammates won’t go down without a fight! Catch all semifinal action live on Star Sports and Disney+ Hotstar. First ball: 2 PM IST. 
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