Thu Oct 23 15:30:00 UTC 2025: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

India Defeats New Zealand, Secures Spot in Women’s World Cup Semifinals

[City, Date] – India has clinched a coveted spot in the Women’s One Day International (ODI) World Cup semifinals after a commanding 53-run victory over New Zealand. The match, briefly interrupted by rain, saw India post a formidable total, setting the stage for a dominant performance.

India, batting first, reached 340 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in 49 overs. Due to the rain interruption, New Zealand was set a revised target of 325 runs under the DLS method. However, the New Zealand team fell short, managing only 271 runs for the loss of 8 wickets.

This victory was particularly sweet as India recorded its highest-ever total in Women’s ODI World Cup history.

Key Highlights and Records:

  • Highest Total: India’s 340/3 is their highest score in Women’s ODI World Cup history, surpassing the 330 they scored earlier in the same tournament against Australia.
  • Smriti Mandhana’s Milestone: Smriti Mandhana is now second on the list of most centuries scored in women’s ODI cricket, with 14 tons. Meg Lanning of Australia leads with 15. Mandhana has also equaled the record for the most centuries in a single year, along with South Africa’s Tazmin Brits, with 5 centuries each this year.
  • Most Sixes in a Year: Mandhana has also become the batter with the most sixes in a year in women’s ODIs, hitting 31 so far this year, surpassing Lizelle Lee’s previous record of 28 in 2017.
  • Fastest to 1000 Runs: Pratika Rawal reached 1000 ODI runs in just 23 innings, equaling the record held by Australia’s Lindsay Reeler.
  • Record-Breaking Partnership: Mandhana and Rawal forged a 212-run opening partnership, the highest for India in Women’s World Cup history.
  • Prolific Opening Pair: Mandhana and Rawal have amassed 1557 runs together in 2025, making them the second-highest scoring opening pair in a calendar year across both men’s and women’s cricket, only behind Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly’s 1635 runs in 1998.
  • Most Centuries in a Year: The Indian women’s team has recorded the most individual centuries in a single year in Women’s ODIs, with 10 centuries so far.

Key Moments:

  • Mandhana’s Lucky Escape: A successful review saved Mandhana from an LBW decision when she was at 79, allowing her to reach a century.
  • Jemimah’s Quickfire Fifty: Jemimah Rodrigues scored a half-century off just 38 balls.
  • Injury Scare: Wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh sustained a finger injury.

India’s dominant performance has solidified their position as a strong contender for the title. The team will now focus on preparations for their semifinal match.

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