Team India women have burst into the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 following a dominant 53-run win (DLS method) against New Zealand at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. The victory is India’s fifth in six matches, securing their position among the top four teams in the tournament.

Mandhana and Rawal Spearhead India’s Batting Brigade

Opening pair Smriti Mandhana and upstart Pratika Rawal set a new record for the highest opening partnership in Women’s World Cup history, registering a 212-run stand.

Vice-captain Mandhana was spectacular with a stroke-laden 109 off 95 deliveries, while Rawal kept her cool and clinical with a 122 off 134, stabilizing India’s batting. Their partnership was the cornerstone for a huge total of 340/3 in 49 overs when rain stopped play.

India’s aggressive style was complemented by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who scored a swift 10 off 11 balls to secure a thumping finish that left the New Zealand bowlers at a loss.

Bowling Brilliance Seals the Victory

India’s bowlers kept the Kiwi batsmen under pressure right throughout while defending 340.

Renuka Singh Thakur attacked with incendiary new-ball spells, claiming 2 vital wickets, as Deepti Sharma and Kranti Gaud put the brakes on in the middle overs.

New Zealand’s pursuit stuttered early, and though Amelia Kerr was resilient in a half-century, the team was held back to 271/8, 53 short in terms of the DLS modification.

India’s Road to the Semis

With this win, India became the first team from Group A to qualify for the semi-finals. Their consistent all-around performances have made them one of the tournament favorites, along with defending champions Australia and England.

The team’s coach Amol Muzumdar lauded the discipline of the team, saying, “The way our players have handled pressure games is appreciable. The focus now will be on carrying this momentum into the knockout phase.”

Fans Cheer Across the Country

Fans in India went on social media to praise the victory, congratulating Mandhana and Rawal for their record-breaking innings. “Smriti and Pratika made it look easy — this is the new generation of Indian women’s cricket,” a fan posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The hashtag #WomenInBlue was trending for hours as cricket fans praised India’s strong statement going into the semis.

What’s Next?

Indian Women will face Bangladesh Women on October 26 in their last league match, before their semi-final encounter in Ahmedabad. Victory in the semi-final can pave the way for a blockbuster final — against arch-rivals Australia, perhaps.