The Indian women’s cricket team qualified for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 semi-finals on Thursday with a convincing 53-run win (DLS method) over New Zealand in a rain-interrupted IND W vs NZ W match at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai.
India became the fourth team to qualify for the Women’s World Cup 2025 semi-finals, joining defending champions Australia, England, and South Africa. The defeat not only ended India’s three-match losing streak but also gave India much-needed momentum into the knockout stage.
India Ends Losing Streak, Secures Semi-final Berth
After losing to South Africa, Australia, and England, the IND W vs NZ W clash was a must-win match for India´s position in the standings. The team, led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, rose to the occasion, putting in a clinical performance that secured their place in the women’s World Cup 2025 final four.
With six points from as many games, India remains fourth on the table, a position that would not be overcome by either New Zealand or Sri Lanka, were the two to win their remaining matches. India’s three wins, compared to a maximum of two for the other teams, confirmed their advancement regardless of the outcomes of the final matches of the group.
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Mandhana and Rawal Rewrite the Record Books
Batting first, they quickly seized the advantage presented by the conditions. Openers Smriti Mandhana (109 off 95) and Pratika Rawal (122 off 134) put together a record 212-run stand, the highest partnership in ODI World Cup history for India, female or male. Their feisty stand meant India racked up a total of 340/3 after 49 overs, before rain cut the innings short. Following Duckworth-Lewis-Stern intervention, New Zealand’s chase was effectively revised to a target of 325 runs off 44 overs.
The match (IND W vs NZ W) included several records for Indian cricket: Mandhana recorded her 14th ODI century, one behind Meg Lanning (15) of Australia, and her 17th overall across formats, equalling Lanning’s world record.
On the other hand, Rawal made her own history by tying Lindsay Reeler’s record of being the joint fastest woman to reach the 1,000 runs mark in ODIs, in just 23 innings.
Although Rawal perished to Amelia Kerr, India remained in control due to Jemimah Rodrigues, who fired an impressive 76 not out off 55 balls. India’s total of 340/3 was India’s highest-ever at a Women’s ODI World Cup match, eclipsing their total of 330, which they made against Australia.
New Zealand’s Chase Falls Short
New Zealand’s hopes of keeping their semi-final qualifications alive became bleaker as they lost two early wickets in the chase. India’s bowlers, Renuka Singh Thakur and Kranti Gaud, made sure they kept taking wickets. Renuka dismissed Georgia Plimmer and Sophie Devine in quick succession, while Gaud’s early strike sent Suzie Bates packing for just one run. The Kiwis were in disarray at 59/3 and could never really recover despite half-centuries from Brooke Halliday (81) and *Isabella Gaze (65)*. In the end, New Zealand finished with 271/8 in 44 overs, which meant they fell short of their DLS target in the IND W vs NZ W game by 53 runs.
Women’s World Cup 2025 Points Table Update
After the result in IND W vs NZ W, India sit comfortably in fourth place with six points from six matches. Australia leads the table with an unbeaten record, followed by England and South Africa.
Here’s how the top four currently stand:
Rank | Team | Matches | Wins | Points |
1 | Australia Women | 6 | 5 | 11 |
2 | South Africa Women | 6 | 5 | 10 |
3 | England Women | 6 | 4 | 9 |
4 | India Women | 6 | 3 | 6 |
India’s next challenge will be Bangladesh, but the outcome will not affect their qualification status for the women’s World Cup 2025 semi-finals.
What the Win Means for India
For India, this qualification is a massive morale boost, coming after a series of narrow losses and entering the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 surrounded by doubters. The strong batting form of Mandhana and Rawal, alongside the increasing consistency of the bowlers, has revitalized the squad’s belief heading into the knockouts.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur praised the resolve of her players after the IND W vs NZ W win:
“We’ve learned so much from the tough games. The way that Smriti and Pratima set the tone today shows how far this team has come. We are peaking at the right time.”
With the home advantage returning and form coming back, India will be eager to create history by winning their first ICC Women’s World Cup title.
Key Records from IND W vs NZ W — Women’s World Cup 2025
- India’s biggest total in a Women’s World Cup match ever: 340/3
- India’s highest partnership for any wicket: 212 (Mandhana & Rawal)
- Mandhana’s 14th ODI century; Rawal ties record for fastest player to 1000 runs
- Mandhana goes past Suzie Bates for the most runs scored by an opener in women’s ODIs
- India clinch qualification for the women’s World Cup semi-final in 2025 with one match remaining
IND W vs NZ W – Match Brief
India Women: 340/3 in 49 overs (Pratika Rawal 122, Smriti Mandhana 109, Jemimah Rodrigues 76*; Suzie Bates 1/40)
New Zealand Women: 271/8 in 44 overs (Brooke Halliday 81, Isabella Gaze 65*; Renuka Singh 2/25)
Result: India won by 53 runs (DLS method)
Amit Mishra’s Take
India’s qualification for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 semi-finals is not merely about points but character. India women vs New Zealand women was an illustration of a team finding the groove when it mattered the most. With openers firing and bowlers finding their lines, India appear more than capable of testing the best teams in the world for the trophy.
If they can maintain this balance between aggression and control, Harmanpreet Kaur’s team may do something special in the women’s World Cup 2025.
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