India came back in winning ways ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 with an all-out 53-run (DLS) win against New Zealand at the Dr Dy Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on Thursday. A record-breaking opening partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal, with both batsmen registering centuries.
Smriti mandhana and pratika rawal lead India’s Batting Brilliance
Opting to bat first after New Zealand chose to bowl, India amassed a mammoth 340/3 in 49 overs. The innings anchored Rawal’s classy 122 off 134 balls and Mandhana’s blistering 109 off 95. The duo added a stupendous 214-run stand for the opening wicket – India’s highest partnership to date – with refined batting and dismantling the measured white ferns bowling attack.
Randhana, for 13 fours and two maximums, Rawal’s innings and placed, Rawal’s innings and placed, 4 and 4 bounced off the runaway side. Their partnership provided the finishing touch with Jemimah Rodrigues (76 off 55), a perfect foundation for a late bloomer. The quick-hitting, 11-bounder, rudely cut India past the 300 mark in 300 overs.
New Zealand’s bowlers dominate the Middle Overs as India
New Zealand’s bowling unit struggled to contain the charge on a flat Indian batting surface. The bowlers did not generate any consistent pressure with Amelia Kerr (1/69) and Rosemary Mair (1/52) and Rosemary (1/52) the only wicket takers of the note. With captain Sophie Devine’s decision to bat first, India’s openers took full advantage of the fielding restrictions and punished loose deliveries.
The lack of breakthroughs in the PowerPlay hurt New Zealand’s momentum, allowing India to dictate terms in the middle overs. Experienced entrepreneurs such as Lea Tahuhu and Jess Kerr are also experienced
Brooke Halliday and Izzy Gaze a tough fight for New Zealand
A follow up In 324, 324 goals were revised (DLS method), New Zealand women Renuka Thakur, Veteran Suzie Bates (1) dismissed cheaply. Despite a brief counterattack from Georgia (25 off 30) and Amelia Kerr (53 off 53), regular wickets continue to repel the visitors.
Middle-order Bration Brooke Halliday, nine fours and sixes, sixes, young Izzy views a free resisting 81 off 84 balls comprising 51 off. Their 72-man stand cut New Zealand’s hopes short, but India’s bowling unit tightened control in the last over.
Kranti GeoD (2/48) and Renuka Thakur (2/25) were the bowlers, supported by Sneh Rana and Deepti Sharma, who picked a wicket. Pratika Rawal, as she set up for a late attack, took out the dangerous hallider, covering her with one wicket in her four overs.
Enter the semi-finals!
A comprehensive win for team India against the white ferns#cricket #Indvnz # Cwc25 #Odi pic.twitter.com/gvcsnvlnyi
– WomenCricket.com (@womencrickethq) October 23, 2025
Read: Fans react to Jawal Jawal Jawal’s Friday century for India against New Zealand
Player of the match
For her stunning century and leadership at the top, Smriti Mandhana was named player of the match. His innings not only set up the victory but also cemented his status as one of the premier performers of the tournament.
Player of the match: Smriti mandhana 🥇#cricket #Indvnz # Cwc25 #Odi pic.twitter.com/mk1ciQszv8
– CricketTimes.com (@crickettimeshq) October 23, 2025
This article was originally published WomenCricket.coma Cricket timings Company.
