India Women Stun New Zealand by 53 Runs to Reach WC Semis

When Smriti Mandhana, captain of the India Women's National Cricket Team, led her side to a 53‑run victory over New Zealand Women's National Cricket Team on October 23, 2025, the cricket world took notice. The win, sealed by the Duckworth‑Lewis‑Stern (DLS) method, locked India into the semifinals of the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 and sent New Zealand packing.

The match unfolded under a bright sky in a stadium that remained unnamed in the official reports, but the numbers spoke louder than any venue name. India piled up 340 runs in 49 overs, thanks to a towering partnership between Mandhana and Pratika Rawal, a Delhi‑born batter who attended Modern School and has been a staple in India’s line‑up for three years. Mid‑innings, Jemima Rodrigues (spelled Jemimah in most broadcasts) added an unbeaten 76, keeping the momentum humming.

Match Recap: India Posts 340, New Zealand Falls Short

India won the toss and chose to bat first. Early on, Mandhana and Rawal stitched a 215‑run partnership that resembled a well‑oiled machine—each boundary was a statement, each dot ball a brick in the wall they were building. By the time the 45th over rolled around, India’s scoreboard read 340/3, a total that would make any defending side’s heart race.

Rain interrupted play just before the 45th over, prompting officials to invoke the DLS formula. New Zealand’s revised target: 325 runs from 44 overs. The chase began with confidence, especially from Brooke Halliday, who blasted 81, and Izzy Gaze, who remained not out on 65. Yet the required run‑rate hovered above 7.5, and crucial wickets fell at regular intervals, leaving New Zealand 53 runs short when the final ball was bowled.

Key Performances and Technical Highlights

The innings featured a few moments that will be replayed on highlight reels for weeks. In the 9.6 over, New Zealand’s Sophie Devine bowled to Rawal, who defended every delivery – a textbook example of technique under pressure, as former great Sunil Gavaskar noted on the commentary box.

• Mandhana’s 89‑run knock – a blend of aggressive drives and soft‑handed placements.
• Rawal’s 78 runs – described by analyst Priyanka as "the most technically sound batting display I've seen in a while".
• Rodrigues’ unbeaten 76 – a steadying presence after the early wickets fell.
• Halliday’s 81 – New Zealand’s brightest moment, but isolated from the rest of the line‑up.
• Gaze’s 65* – a gritty effort that fell just short of bridging the DLS‑adjusted gap.

Bowling, though less celebrated in the write‑up, featured tight spells from India’s seam attack. The exact figures weren’t disclosed, but the economy rate stayed under 4.5 in the last ten overs, effectively choking New Zealand’s chase.

What the DLS Method Changed

Rain‑interruptions in knockout cricket are always a drama. The DLS method recalculates the target based on wickets in hand and overs remaining, aiming for fairness. In this case, the revised target of 325 was 15 runs fewer than a straight chase of 340, but the reduction in overs (44 instead of 49) meant New Zealand needed to score at a faster clip. The math favored India; their massive total gave a cushion that the shortened chase could not erode.

Implications for the Knockout Stage

With this win, India locked the fourth spot in Group A, collecting eight points – the maximum possible after the match. However, analysts clarified that even a win in their final group game against Bangladesh would not catapult them into the top three; the points tally simply didn’t allow it. The immediate upside? A semifinal berth, where they’ll meet either the South Africa Women or the England Women, depending on the other quarter‑final’s outcome.

New Zealand’s exit also confirmed Sri Lanka’s elimination, tightening the competition for the remaining semifinal slots. The cricketing community is already buzzing about the possible England‑India showdown – a fixture that could revive memories of the 2017 final, which India lost by a narrow margin.

Historical Context: India's World Cup Journey

India Women have been a fixture in every ICC Women’s World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1973. They’ve reached the final three times – 2005, 2017, and 2022 – but the trophy has remained elusive. This 2025 performance adds another chapter, showcasing depth in the batting order and a growing confidence in handling high‑pressure scenarios.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has invested heavily in women’s cricket over the past decade, with the launch of the Women’s IPL and multiple grassroots programmes. The results are finally translating onto the world stage. Meanwhile, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) faces a period of reflection, especially after a promising start to the tournament turned into an abrupt exit.

Looking Ahead: What to Expect Next

India’s next challenge arrives within days. The semifinal is slated for October 28 at an undisclosed venue, with the exact opponent decided after the South Africa‑England quarter‑final. Fans can expect a high‑octane battle; India’s batting depth will be tested against either England’s experienced pace attack or South Africa’s aggressive spin.

Beyond the tournament, the performance lifts the profile of women’s cricket in the subcontinent. Expect increased viewership numbers, more sponsorship deals, and a stronger push for better facilities – all in line with the ICC’s 2025 agenda to elevate the women’s game.