Mandhana & Pratika Centuries Power India Into WC Semis

Mandhana & Pratika Centuries Power India Into WC Semis

In a breathtaking display of batting brilliance, India stormed into the semifinals of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 with a commanding 53-run victory over New Zealand in their must-win Group A clash. Powered by twin centuries from Smriti Mandhana and debutant Pratika Rawal—and turbocharged by Jemimah Rodrigues’ explosive 76*—India posted a mammoth 340/3 before rain intervened and the DLS method sealed the win.

Historic Partnership Lights Up the Knockout Race

With elimination looming, India’s top order delivered under pressure. Opener Smriti Mandhana, long hailed as the team’s linchpin, notched her 12th ODI century with a composed 112 off 124 balls—laced with 13 boundaries and 2 sixes.

But the real story was 20-year-old Pratika Rawal, playing only her fifth ODI. The right-hander announced herself on the global stage with a fearless 104* off just 98 deliveries, mixing elegant drives with calculated aggression. Their 198-run second-wicket stand became the highest partnership for India against New Zealand in Women’s World Cup history.

Jemimah Rodrigues Seals the Deal

Coming in at No. 4, Jemimah Rodrigues turned the screws with a blistering unbeaten 76 off 52 balls. Her late assault—featuring 6 fours and 3 sixes—propelled India past the 340-mark, a total that proved insurmountable even before the rain arrived.

New Zealand’s Chase Falters Under Pressure

Chasing a revised target of 324 in 47 overs (DLS), New Zealand started confidently with Suzie Bates (68) and Sophie Devine (45) putting on 92. But India’s spinners—led by Deepti Sharma (3/48) and Radha Yadav (2/41)—strangled the middle order.

Wickets fell at regular intervals, and despite a gritty 52 from Maddy Green, the White Ferns finished at 271/8—53 runs short of the par score. The result ended New Zealand’s semifinal hopes and cemented India’s place in the final four.

Key Stats That Defined the Match

Player	Runs	Balls	Strike Rate
Smriti Mandhana (IND)	112	124	90.32
Pratika Rawal (IND)	104*	98	106.12
Jemimah Rodrigues (IND)	76*	52	146.15
Suzie Bates (NZ)	68	81	83.95

What This Win Means for Team India

This victory marks India’s third consecutive semifinal appearance in Women’s World Cups—a sign of growing consistency. More importantly, it showcases the emergence of a new generation: Pratika Rawal’s composure under pressure suggests India’s batting future is in safe hands.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who didn’t bat due to the innings structure, praised her team’s “collective courage.” “We knew it was do-or-die. The girls showed heart—and class,” she said post-match.

[INTERNAL_LINK:womens-world-cup-2025] | [INTERNAL_LINK:smriti-mandhana-career]

Sources

• Times of India: Pratika-Mandhana centuries fire IND to semis
• ICC Official: Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025