Openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal struck contrasting centuries and shared a record 212-run opening partnership to set up India’s 53-run victory (via DLS method) over New Zealand in a rain-affected Match 24 of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup in Navi Mumbai on Thursday.
Mandhana produced a stroke-filled 109 off 95 balls, while Rawal anchored the innings with a composed 122 off 134 balls as India piled up 340/3 in 49 overs. After rain interrupted play, New Zealand were set a revised target of 325 in 44 overs, but despite spirited efforts from Brooke Halliday (81), Isabella Gaze (65 not out), and Amelia Kerr (45), the White Ferns fell short, finishing on 271/8, handing India a comprehensive DLS win.
The win sealed India’s place in the semifinals with six points, joining Australia, England, and South Africa, and giving them a match to spare. Even if India lose to Bangladesh and New Zealand beat England in their remaining fixtures, India will advance owing to more wins (three compared to New Zealand’s two).
Mandhana and Rawal’s stand of 212 runs for the first wicket was the highest partnership for India in ODIs and their fourth 150-plus stand, equalling the record held by Belinda Clark–Lisa Keightley and Suzie Bates–Amy Satterthwaite. It was also their seventh century stand, the joint-most for an Indian pair.
Mandhana’s fluent knock included 10 fours and 4 sixes, marking her 14th ODI century, while Rawal’s effort – her second ODI hundred and first in a World Cup – featured 13 boundaries and 2 sixes.
India’s top order, under scrutiny for inconsistency, finally clicked. Jemimah Rodrigues, returning to the XI in place of Amanjot Kaur, capitalised on the strong foundation to blast an unbeaten 76 off 55 balls, including seven boundaries and two sixes.
India scored just 40/0 in the Powerplay, but accelerated sharply thereafter – adding 75 runs between overs 11–20, 73 between 21–30, and 66/1 between 31–40 before rain halted play after the 48th over. A one-hour delay followed due to wet patches, and the match was reduced to 49 overs per side.
Chasing a stiff revised target, New Zealand’s innings never gained momentum. Opener Suzie Bates fell early for 1, edging a wide delivery from Kranti Gaud to Pratika Rawal at point. Georgia Plimmer (30 off 25) and Amelia Kerr (45 off 53) briefly steadied the chase, taking the total past fifty in the first nine overs, but regular breakthroughs pegged the visitors back.
Renuka Singh dismissed both Plimmer and Sophie Devine — the latter bowled for six by a sharp nip-backer – leaving New Zealand reeling at 59/3. Kerr tried to rebuild but was dismissed by Sneh Rana after a sharp catch by Mandhana at short midwicket.
Halliday kept hopes alive with a gritty 81 off 84 balls (9 fours, 1 six), but her dismissal – caught by Rana off Shree Charini – effectively ended New Zealand’s challenge. Isabella Gaze fought on for an unbeaten 65 off 51 balls (9 fours), but the target proved too steep.
India’s bowling attack – led by Renuka Singh (2/25), Kranti Gaud (2/48), and tight spells from Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, and Shree Charini – maintained control throughout the innings.
Brief scores:
India: 340/3 in 49 overs (Smriti Mandhana 109, Pratika Rawal 122, Jemimah Rodrigues 76*; Suzie Bates 1-40, Rosemary Mair 1-52)
New Zealand: 271/8 in 44 overs (Brooke Halliday 81, Isabella Gaze 65*, Amelia Kerr 45; Renuka Singh 2-25, Kranti Gaud 2-48)
Result: India won by 53 runs (DLS method).
(IANS)