India’s women’s cricket team has stormed into the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, clinching their place among the last four after a commanding 53-run victory over New Zealand at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. With this triumph, India joins Australia, England, and South Africa in the tournament’s decisive knockout stage, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to this year’s World Cup.
The match against the White Ferns was more than just a ticket to the semis—it was a statement performance from Harmanpreet Kaur’s squad, who bounced back in style after a rocky mid-tournament patch. India’s campaign began with high hopes and back-to-back wins over Sri Lanka and Pakistan, only to be followed by a tough three-match losing streak against South Africa, Australia, and England. But when it mattered most, the team found their rhythm again, snapping the skid and rising to the occasion in front of a roaring home crowd.
Sent in to bat first, India’s openers unleashed a batting masterclass. Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal put on a record-breaking 212-run partnership for the first wicket, rewriting the history books for Indian women’s cricket. Mandhana, ever the reliable anchor at the top, smashed her 14th ODI century, scoring 109 off just 95 deliveries. Her partner, Rawal, was equally imperious, notching up 122 runs from 134 balls. Together, they propelled India to a formidable 340/3 in 49 overs, their highest-ever total in a Women’s ODI World Cup match—surpassing the previous best of 330 against Australia earlier in the tournament.
Rain played its part, interrupting the Indian innings and trimming the match to 49 overs per side. Later, further showers meant New Zealand’s target was revised to 325 from 44 overs, courtesy of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method. Undaunted, India’s bowlers took to the field with purpose. Kranti Gaud struck early, removing the dangerous Suzie Bates for just one, while Renuka Singh delivered a double blow by dismissing Georgia Plimmer and the Kiwi skipper Sophie Devine in consecutive overs. New Zealand’s chase faltered from 59/3, and despite valiant half-centuries from Isabella Gaze and Brooke Halliday, and a fighting 45 by Amelia Kerr, the White Ferns ultimately finished at 271/8—53 runs short of the revised target.
This win not only secured India’s semi-final berth but also ended their three-match losing streak, restoring confidence and momentum at just the right time. The points table now sees India sitting pretty with six points from as many games, their three wins giving them the edge over New Zealand and Sri Lanka, who can only match India’s points tally but not their number of victories. Tournament rules prioritize wins over net run rate in the event of a tie on points, ensuring India’s safe passage regardless of other results.
For Mandhana, the match was a personal milestone bonanza. Her century brought her tally to 14 in ODIs and 17 across all women’s international formats, equaling Australia’s Meg Lanning for the most centuries in women’s international cricket. Mandhana also overtook Suzie Bates as the leading opening batter in women’s ODI history, with a new record of 5,194 runs at the top of the order. As if that wasn’t enough, she and Rawal’s 212-run stand set a new Indian record for the highest partnership in Women’s World Cups, eclipsing the previous mark of 184 set by Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur in 2022.
Rawal herself entered the record books, becoming the joint-fastest player in women’s ODI cricket to reach 1,000 runs—matching Lindsay Reeler’s 1988 record of just 23 innings. This was also the seventh century partnership between Mandhana and Rawal, tying the Indian record held by Mithali Raj and Punam Raut.
The Indian innings didn’t lose steam after the openers departed. Jemimah Rodrigues, returning to the XI after missing the England clash, played a sparkling unbeaten knock of 76 off 55 balls, ensuring India finished with a flourish. The depth and dynamism of the Indian batting order were on full display—a timely reminder to their upcoming semi-final opponents.
On the other side, the result was a bitter pill for New Zealand. The loss officially ended their hopes of reaching the semi-finals and marked the beginning of the end for a generation of Kiwi stars. For captain Sophie Devine, the match against England on October 26 will be her last one-day international, closing a remarkable career that began in 2006. Devine, who has been a pillar for New Zealand cricket and scored 266 runs in the tournament—including a memorable century against Australia—will look to bow out with pride against the English.
England, meanwhile, have already secured their semi-final spot and are looking to fine-tune their lineup ahead of the knockouts. Head coach Charlotte Edwards has emphasized the need for ODI improvement, especially as the team transitions from the Ashes era and looks ahead to a home T20 World Cup. Questions remain about England’s middle order, which has struggled for consistency, but with experienced campaigners like Nat Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight still leading the charge, the team’s ambitions are undimmed. "We want to win," Sciver-Brunt stated, signaling England’s intent to finish the group stage on a high and carry momentum into the semis.
Defending champions Australia have been the team to beat, maintaining an unbeaten record and topping the table with 11 points from six matches. South Africa, qualifying second with 10 points and a game to spare, have also impressed with their balance and consistency. The semi-finals are set for October 29 at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati and October 30 at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, although the exact matchups will be determined by the last round of group games.
As the dust settles on the group stage, anticipation is sky-high for the semi-finals. India’s resurgence, powered by record-breaking performances and a determined squad, has reignited hopes of a maiden World Cup title on home soil. With Australia, England, and South Africa also in the mix, fans can expect fireworks as the world’s best battle for cricket’s ultimate prize. The journey’s not over yet—if anything, it’s just getting to the most exciting part!
