Snehasis Mukherjee in Navi Mumbai
India have qualified for the semi-final of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup after defeating New Zealand by 53 runs (DLS method) at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. After three successive losses, this was a must-win clash for the Women in Blue, and they delivered in style in front of a record crowd of 25,166.
Chasing a revised target of 325 runs in 44 overs due to rain, New Zealand struggled early as Kranti Gaud gave India the perfect start by dismissing Suzie Bates for one. Georgia Plimmer and Amelia Kerr tried to rebuild with a 50-run stand, but the former’s quickfire 30 off 25 ended when Renuka Singh Thakur struck. She then claimed the big wicket of the in-form skipper Sophie Devine, putting India firmly in control.
Kerr continued to fight and built a 56-run partnership with Brooke Halliday for the fourth wicket before Sneh Rana broke through, dismissing Kerr for 45. Maddy Green followed soon after, scoring 18 off 20 balls. There was a moment of concern for India when wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh suffered a finger injury and had to leave the field temporarily. Uma Chetry, the reserve wicketkeeper, stepped in and did the duties for the remainder of the innings.
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Despite losing partners, Halliday kept the chase alive with a brilliant 81 off 84 balls, adding 76 runs alongside wicketkeeper Isabella Gaze. Even after Halliday’s dismissal, Gaze continued to play some delightful shots and reached her fifty, remaining unbeaten on 65 off 51 balls as New Zealand finished on 271/8, falling short by 53 runs.
Earlier, India put on a batting masterclass, posting 340/3 in 49 overs, their highest-ever total in Women’s ODI World Cup history, surpassing the 330 they made earlier in this tournament against Australia.
Both openers were sublime. Smriti Mandhana scored a magnificent 109, while Pratika Rawal silenced critics with a fluent 122 off 134 balls, her maiden World Cup century. After being dropped for the England match, Jemimah Rodrigues made a strong comeback. Promoted to No. 3, she finished unbeaten on 76 off 55 balls, guiding India to a mammoth total.
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