India sealed the final semi-final berth at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup with a commanding 53-run (DLS) victory over New Zealand in Navi Mumbai, knocking both the White Ferns and Sri Lanka out of contention.
After suffering three straight defeats, India’s hopes of advancing had been hanging by a thread. But inspired centuries from Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana powered the co-hosts to a tournament-high total of 340-3 from 49 overs.
Rawal’s 122 off 134 balls was the second-highest individual score of the tournament, while Mandhana dazzled with 109 from just 95 deliveries. The pair shared a mammoth 212-run opening stand, setting the tone for India’s dominant performance. Jemimah Rodrigues added a brisk 76 off 55 to pile further misery on New Zealand’s bowlers.
Rain twice interrupted the match, reducing New Zealand’s target to 325 from 44 overs under the DLS method. The White Ferns’ chase faltered early as veterans Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine fell cheaply, leaving them reeling at 59-3. Despite a valiant 81 from Brooke Halliday and a spirited 50 from Izzy Gaze, New Zealand managed only 271-8.
With the win, India join Australia, South Africa, and England in the semi-finals. Even if New Zealand and Sri Lanka win their remaining group matches, they cannot surpass India’s three victories — the key tiebreaker determining qualification.
For India, the victory was as much about redemption as qualification — a statement of intent after a shaky group stage. As Mandhana said after the match, “We wanted to show what this team can do when we play fearless cricket. Today, everything clicked.”