New Zealand started steadily, but regular wickets slowed their chase despite Halliday’s 81 and Gaze’s 65*.
Navi Mumbai
India Women continued their dominant campaign at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, securing a place in the semifinals after defeating New Zealand by 53 runs at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy on Thursday. The victory was built on a magnificent 212-run opening partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal, the highest-ever by an Indian pair in Women’s World Cup history.
After being asked to bat first, India piled up 340 for 3 in 49 overs. Mandhana’s fluent 109 off 95 balls, studded with 12 fours and three sixes, complemented Rawal’s patient yet commanding 122 from 134 balls. Their record stand laid the foundation for a late flourish from Jemimah Rodrigues, who added a quickfire 46 not out of 25 deliveries to push India past the 340-mark.
New Zealand’s chase got off to a steady start, but regular wickets dented their progress. Brooke Halliday top-scored with a fighting 81, while Isabella Gaze’s unbeaten 65 offered resistance, yet the required run rate proved insurmountable. Indian bowlers maintained control, with Rawal, Deepti Sharma, and Renuka Singh sharing key breakthroughs to restrict the White Ferns to 271 for 8 in 44 overs.
With this win, India sealed a semifinal berth, reaffirming their credentials as strong title contenders on home soil.