Team India secured their berth in the Women’s World Cup semi-final after a dominating 53-run victory (via DLS method) over New Zealand at DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.
Following three consecutive defeats, the women-in-blue were in a must-win situation and bounced back with a tremendous batting and bowling performance.
Thanks to the centuries from Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana. The opening pair were set off to a cautious start and gradually went on to build a strong double-century partnership on Thursday afternoon (October 23).
However, a sensational cameo from Jemimah Rodrigues bolstered the team’s innings total to 340 for a loss of 3 wickets in a 49-over reduced game due to rain.
212-Run Opening Stand Between Mandhana and Rawal
A masterclass performance by Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana laid a solid foundation for her side by building an opening partnership of 212 runs.
Rawal slammed 122 runs out of 134 balls (including 13 fours and 2 sixes) at a strike rate of 91.04.
As usual, Mandhana continued with her consistent performance by scoring yet another fascinating century of 109 runs from 95 balls (Including 10 fours and 4 sixes) at a strike rate of 114.74.
Jemimah Rodrigues Cameo at No.3
Promoting Jemimah Rodrigues to the third position enhanced India’s chances of outdoing New Zealand in a high-pressure encounter.
The right-handed batter smashed an unbeaten 76-run knock out of 55 balls, striking 11 fours at a strike rate of 138.18.
New Zealand’s Sloppy Start in 325-Run Chase
To stay alive in the knockout race, New Zealand had to win the game against India by chasing a revised target of 325 as per the DLS method.
The White Ferns opener, Suzie Bates, was dismissed for just 1 run off 6 deliveries, leaving the entire batting line-up rattled. Further, Georgia Plimmer’s departure after scoring just 30 runs out of 25 balls (including 5 fours and 1 six) doubled the pressure on the other batters in a tricky run chase.
A Steady 56-Run Partnership Between Kerr and Halliday
Amelia Kerr’s supportive performance of 45 runs from 53 balls (including 4 fours) slightly accelerated her team’s innings. The 25-year-old built a crucial partnership of 56 runs with Brooke Halliday for the fourth wicket.
Brooke Halliday and Isabella Gaze’s 50+ Scores in Vain
The White Ferns’ middle order batter Brooke Halliday’s 84-ball-81 run knock (including 9 fours and 1 six) at a strike rate of 96.43 wasn’t enough to propel her team to the winning target.
Despite Isabella Gaze’s brilliant contribution at the lower order, having scored an unbeaten 65 runs from 51 balls (including 10 fours), the lack of support from the other batters in the top and middle order made it a grueling task to chase a 325 target.
A Collective Effort From Team India’s Bowlers
The contributions from every Indian bowler restricted New Zealand to 271/8 in 44 overs. It includes the names of Renuka Singh Thakur (2/25 in 6 overs), Kranti Gaud (2/48 in 9 overs), Sneh Rana (1/60 in 8 overs), Shree Charani (1/58 in 9 overs), Deepti Sharma (1/57 in 8 overs), and Pratika Rawal (1/19 in 4 overs).
Mandhana and Rawal’s Partnership Shatters Multiple Records
As India secured their berth in the semi-final, here is how Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal broke numerous records with their 212-run opening partnership:
- Highest opening partnership for India in Women’s ODI World Cup history. Also, Mandhana outbeat the previous best record of her 184-run stand along with Harmanpreet Kaur.
- Fifth ODI ton for Smriti this year and levelled the record of South African batter Tazmin Brits.
- Mandhana registered her 17th international ton across all formats (ODIs: 14, Tests: 2, and T20Is: 1). She equalled Australian batter Mag Lanning’s record of scoring 17 centuries in international cricket.
- Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana equalled the record-breaking streak of Australian legendary opening pairs Belinda Clark and Lisa Keightley, for scoring the most century partnerships in a single calendar year (on five occasions).
- Seven-century partnerships between Rawal and Mandhana in 23 innings. The opening duo joined the elite list of Rachael Haynes and Alyssa Healy (Australia) as well as Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa).
Final Thoughts
Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal together have proven to be India’s most dynamic opening pair, thereby establishing their status as India’s most consistent performers in the modern era of women’s cricket.
Team India has one more game to spare in the league stage against Bangladesh on October 26 (Sunday) at the same venue before proceeding to the semi-final. It remains to be seen how Mandhana and Rawal, in their forthcoming clashes, surpass outstanding records to steer their team to glory in the Women’s World Cup 2025.