India vs New Zealand Highlights, Women's World Cup 2025: Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana centuries power IND to 53-run victory over NZ; qualify for semis

India vs New Zealand Highlights, Women's World Cup 2025: India produced a clinical performance to defeat New Zealand by 53 runs (DLS method) at the DY Patil Stadium on Thursday, securing a semifinal spot in the 2025 Women’s World Cup. The record crowd of 25,166 witnessed a dominant display from the Women in Blue, especially from their top three batters.

Openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal put on a spectacular 212-run partnership off 202 balls, smashing centuries and setting a new benchmark. Mandhana scored 109 off 95 balls, striking 10 fours and three sixes, while Rawal made 122 off 134, recording her second WODI century and becoming joint-fastest to 1,000 runs in women’s ODIs. Returning to the side, Jemimah Rodrigues added a stroke-filled 76* from 55 balls, guiding India to 340/3 in 49 overs.

After electing to field, New Zealand were under pressure, tasked with chasing 325 in 44 overs due to rain delays. They managed 271/8, with Brooke Halliday top-scoring at 81 and Isabella Gaze remaining unbeaten on 65. Mandhana also took a crucial catch to dismiss Amelia Kerr for 45.

Mandhana’s century was her 14th in WODIs, now second only to Meg Lanning’s 15, and her fifth in 2025 alone. She has also amassed 1,259 runs this calendar year, making her the leading scorer. Rawal and Mandhana’s 1,557-run partnership in 2025 is only behind Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly’s 1,635-run record in men’s ODIs for most runs by a pair in a year. Their 212-run stand was India’s highest opening partnership in women’s ODIs and the biggest for any wicket in Women’s ODI World Cups.

India accelerated after a cautious start, with Mandhana cutting, pulling, and driving with ease. Rawal and Rodrigues added 76 for the second wicket, punishing the New Zealand bowlers. Two of Mandhana’s four sixes came off Amelia Kerr.

With the win, India enter the semifinals as the fourth qualifier and will again play at DY Patil Stadium on October 30. Their final league match against Bangladesh now carries little significance, while New Zealand must reflect on missed opportunities and washed-out games earlier in the tournament.Rosemary Mair, Hannah Rowe and Lea Tahuhu.