Cricket fans across the globe have been treated to a rollercoaster ride in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, and Thursday’s clash between India and New Zealand in Navi Mumbai was no exception. In a match that saw the elements play a significant role, India emerged victorious by 53 runs, clinching the final semi-final berth with a performance that left little doubt about their credentials. The encounter, held at the DY Patil Stadium on October 23, 2025, was not just a test of skill but also of resilience, as rain repeatedly interrupted play and forced the application of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method.
India’s journey to the semi-finals has been anything but straightforward. The Women in Blue kicked off their campaign with emphatic wins over Sri Lanka and Pakistan, setting a strong tone. However, the road got bumpy as they suffered three consecutive defeats at the hands of South Africa, Australia, and England. Each of those losses was a nail-biter, with many observers feeling that Harmanpreet Kaur’s squad had opportunities to seal the deal but narrowly missed out. Yet, when it mattered most, India bounced back in style against New Zealand, demonstrating both grit and flair under pressure.
The stage was set for a high-stakes contest, with both teams aware of the implications. Rain had already made its presence felt, trimming the match to 49 overs per side. India, batting first, put on a commanding display. Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal were the stars of the show, each notching up a century. Mandhana’s innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression, while Rawal’s knock provided the perfect foil, ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking. Jemimah Rodrigues added a crucial 76, and by the end of 49 overs, India had amassed an imposing 340/3.
Just as fans caught their breath during the innings break, the rain returned, forcing another adjustment. The DLS method recalibrated New Zealand’s target to 325 runs in 44 overs—a tall order by any measure. The Kiwis gave it their all, but the mounting required run rate and the disciplined Indian bowling attack proved too much. New Zealand finished on 271/8, running out of overs and, ultimately, out of time in the tournament.
With this win, India secured 6 points, putting them ahead of New Zealand and Sri Lanka, who each have 4 points. According to ICC tournament regulations, if teams finish on equal points, the first tiebreaker is the number of wins. India, with three wins, cannot be overtaken by New Zealand or Sri Lanka, who can only reach a maximum of two wins each, even if they triumph in their remaining fixtures. The rules further specify that if points and wins are equal, net run rate (NRR) is considered, followed by head-to-head results and, if needed, original league seedings. But in this case, the number of wins is decisive.
Some fans might wonder: what if India loses their final group match against Bangladesh and both New Zealand and Sri Lanka win their respective games against England and Pakistan? Wouldn’t that create a three-way tie at six points? The answer, as clarified by the ICC’s rules, is that India’s three victories guarantee them a higher standing than their rivals, regardless of the points tally. New Zealand and Sri Lanka’s campaigns were further hampered by rain, as both sides had two fixtures washed out—one of which was their head-to-head clash—leaving them with fewer opportunities to secure outright wins.
Reflecting on the significance of the victory, Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur remarked, “This team has shown incredible character. We’ve had ups and downs, but the way we came together for this match shows our hunger to compete at the highest level.” That sentiment was echoed by Smriti Mandhana, who said, “It’s special to score a century in such an important game. But more than that, I’m proud of how everyone contributed. We knew what was at stake.”
The match itself was a showcase of Indian batting prowess. Mandhana’s shot selection and timing lit up the stadium, while Rawal’s composure under pressure ensured the momentum never waned. Jemimah Rodrigues’ quickfire 76 provided the late-innings surge, leaving New Zealand with a mountain to climb. On the bowling front, India maintained discipline, with wickets falling at crucial junctures to stifle any Kiwi resistance.
New Zealand, for their part, fought valiantly. Their batters showed flashes of brilliance, but the revised target and relentless Indian attack left them with too much to do. As the overs ticked by, the sense of inevitability grew, and when the final ball was bowled, it was India who celebrated, their place in the last four assured.
Looking ahead, India will face Bangladesh on Sunday, October 26, 2025, in what is now a pressure-free group-stage finale. New Zealand, meanwhile, faces a tough assignment against England, knowing their semi-final hopes have been extinguished by the combination of results and tournament regulations. Sri Lanka, too, finds itself out of contention, despite the mathematical possibility of matching India’s points tally, thanks to the all-important win column.
This qualification marks a significant achievement for Indian women’s cricket. After a mid-tournament wobble, the team’s ability to regroup and deliver under pressure speaks volumes about their depth and resilience. The semi-finals beckon, and with the likes of Mandhana, Rawal, and Rodrigues in form, there’s every reason for fans to dream big.
Cricket, as always, is a game of fine margins, and this World Cup has been no different. Rain, run rates, and revised targets have all played their part, but in the end, it’s the performances on the field that count. India’s blend of experience and youthful exuberance has carried them through, and the prospect of a semi-final showdown is sure to set pulses racing across the cricketing world.
As the dust settles on a dramatic group stage, attention now turns to the knockout rounds. Can India go all the way? With momentum on their side and a squad brimming with confidence, they certainly have the tools to challenge for the ultimate prize. For now, though, the team and its supporters can savor a job well done—the semi-finals await, and India has earned its place among the world’s best.
