Posted by Siseko Tapile
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When Harmanpreet Kaur, captain of India Women's Cricket Team, led her side to a DLS‑adjusted victory over Sophie Devine's New Zealand Women's Cricket Team on Thursday, October 23, 2025, the stakes were clear: a spot in the semi‑finals of the ICC Women's World Cup 2025Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. The match, played at 3:00 PM IST, ended with India Women posting 340 runs in 49 overs and edging out New Zealand by a DLS‑calculated margin that various outlets reported as either 53 or 63 runs. Either way, the win clinched a semi‑final berth and kept India’s World Cup hopes alive.
From the toss to the final over, the game unfolded like a textbook chase turned weather‑hit drama. India won the toss and elected to bat, a decision that paid off handsomely. The scoreboard reflected a massive total: 340/4 in 49 overs, a figure only possible because of two centuries and a near‑century from the middle order.
Opening the innings, Smriti Mandhana anchored the attack with a stylish 102‑run knock, while Pratika Rawal answered with a maiden century of 103. Their partnership set the platform for a relentless onslaught. In the middle order, Jemimah Rodrigues remained unbeaten on 76, striking at a brisk strike rate that kept the run‑rate ticking over 6.9 per ball.
A quick glance at the over‑by‑over breakdown shows Rawal’s resilience against New Zealand’s pacers. She defended deliveries from Rosemary Mair in the 4.4, 4.5 and 4.6 overs, hitting two fours and a dot ball that built crucial momentum. Earlier, in the 5.2‑5.3 overs, Rawal mixed a single with a dot, showcasing her ability to rotate the strike against a disciplined bowling unit.
New Zealand’s chase was disrupted by rain, triggering the Duckworth‑Lewis‑Stern (DLS) method. The revised target after the interruption stood at 287 runs from 44 overs. Despite a fighting effort, the Black Caps fell short, ending at 234/7. The Economic Times reported a 53‑run win, while the Indian Express cited a 63‑run margin. The discrepancy stems from differing interpretations of the DLS calculation at the precise moment of play stoppage—an issue that highlights the challenges of real‑time sports analytics.
New Zealand’s bowling, led by Maddy Green and Isabella Gaze, managed to snare only four wickets, with the best figures coming from Jess Kerr (2/45). The Indian pacers, especially Radha Yadav, kept the pressure on, conceding just 31 runs in her 4‑over spell.
Post‑match, captain Harmanpreet Kaur praised her side’s temperament: “We knew the pitch would aid the bat, but staying focused after the rain delay was the real test. Everyone delivered when it mattered.” New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine expressed disappointment but remained optimistic: “The DLS margin was tough, but the team showed grit. We’ll regroup and aim for the final.”
Coach Rohit Sharma of the Indian side (acting as consultant for the women’s squad) noted, “The depth in our batting order gave us the cushion needed for a rain‑affected finish. This win is a statement of intent ahead of the knock‑outs.”
With the semi‑final berth secured, India now awaits the winner of the other Group A clash between England and South Africa, scheduled for October 27. Statisticians point out that India’s net run rate of +1.45 after this match positions them as favorites, but the knockout stage is notoriously unpredictable. The team’s blend of experienced campaigners like Mandhana and emerging talent such as Rawal could prove decisive.
From a broader perspective, the victory adds to India’s rising stature in women’s cricket. Since the 2022 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, the side has consistently punched above its weight, and the current campaign may herald the nation’s first Women's World Cup final appearance.
The last time India Women reached the semi‑finals of a 50‑over World Cup was in 2017, where they fell to England in a rain‑affected match. This 2025 squad, under Kaur’s captaincy, has showcased a more aggressive approach, especially in the top order where centuries have become a regular feature. Comparatively, the 2023 edition saw New Zealand finish third, making this defeat a blow to their aspirations.
The victory lifts India to the top of Group A with a strong net‑run‑rate, meaning they will face a comparatively weaker opponent in the semi‑finals. It also boosts team morale and reinforces confidence in their batting depth.
The DLS formula recalculates after every interruption. Some outlets captured the margin at the moment rain stopped play, while others used the final revised target after a further brief pause, leading to a 53‑run versus 63‑run discrepancy.
Centurions Smriti Mandhana (102) and Pratika Rawal (103) anchored the innings, while Jemimah Rodrigues added a rapid 76 not out. In the field, Radha Yadav’s tight spell and Sharpened catching contributed significantly.
New Zealand must tighten their middle‑order batting and adjust their chase strategy under DLS scenarios. Bowler Jess Kerr’s two‑wicket haul shows promise, but the bowlers need more penetration to restrict high totals.
The semi‑final is scheduled for October 30, 2025, at the same venue. India will meet the winner of the England vs South Africa Group A encounter, a match expected to be tightly contested.
Comments
naveen krishna
What a fantastic win for Indian women’s cricket!
October 24, 2025 at 00:25