India reached the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup with a 53-run win over New Zealand thanks to tons from Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal on Thursday.
Co-hosts India joined defending champions Australia, England and South Africa in the last four of the eight-nation tournament.
Openers Mandhana and Rawal scored 212 runs as India posted a mammoth 340-3 in 49 overs at the rain-affected DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
The left-handed Mandhana hit 109 and Rawal hit 122 as the pair started cautiously but soon controlled the opponent’s bowling with boundaries in abundance.
In reply, New Zealand finished on 271-8, chasing a revised target of 325 in 44 overs to get out of the semi-finals with a match to spare.
The White Ferns, led by Sophie Devine, were unlucky with two games abandoned due to rain in Colombo.
“We are incredibly disappointed and upset, not only for ourselves but also for our friends and family,” said Devine, who plays her final one-day international against England on Sunday.
“Frustrating tournament, I would have liked more opportunities to play.”
India bounced back from three straight defeats to put on a clinical all-round show in their bid to win their maiden World Cup title.
“When you play at home, everyone expects a lot from us,” said skipper Harmanpreet Kaur. “Our discussions are that the audience is with us and this is the time to enjoy instead of pressure.”
Mandhana and Rawal took the match away from New Zealand in their marathon stand – India’s best for any wicket in the Women’s ODI World Cup.
Brave Halliday and Gaze
Mandhana reached 100 with a single off Jess Kerr for her fifth hundred in 2025 and is level with South Africa’s Tazmin Britten for most tons in women’s ODI matches in a calendar year.
She eventually fell to Suzie Bates and walked off to a standing ovation from the raucous home crowd. The star batter hit 10 fours and four sixes in her 95-ball knock and was named player of the match.
Rawal continued the attack with Jemimah Rodrigues, who made 76 not out, to raise her maiden World Cup hundred and the pair scored 76 runs to push New Zealand further into the background.
Amelia Kerr dismissed Rawal with her leg spin but Rodrigues held firm and hit regular boundaries.
Rain interrupted India’s innings after the 48th over and it took over 90 minutes for the 49th and final over to be bowled.
New Zealand’s reply was delayed due to light drizzle and lost an early wicket when Bates departed to one-off medium-pace bowler Kranti Gaud in the second over.
Georgia Plimmer hit back in her 25-ball 30 but fell bowled by Renuka Singh’s medium-pace bowling.
Renuka struck again to send Devine back to six as New Zealand fell to 59-3.
A late push from Brooke Halliday, who hit 81, and Isabella Gaze, who made an unbeaten 65, breathed some life into the chase in their sixth wicket stand of 72, but the asking price always kept India in check.
India will play their last league match against Bangladesh at the same venue on Sunday.
