In a thrilling display of batting prowess, India’s women’s cricket team triumphed over New Zealand by 53 runs (DLS) on Thursday, securing their place in the semifinals of the Women’s Cricket World Cup. The match, held in Navi Mumbai, saw openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal deliver stellar performances, both scoring centuries to set the tone for India’s commanding total. Rawal, making her maiden World Cup century, top-scored with 122 runs, while Mandhana contributed a crucial 109. Jemimah Rodrigues further bolstered the innings with an unbeaten 76 off 55 balls, propelling India to a formidable 340-3 in 49 overs. Rain interruptions later reduced the game to 44 overs, with New Zealand tasked with chasing 325. Despite Brooke Halliday’s valiant 81 runs, the White Ferns faltered, ending their campaign with three defeats and two no-results in six games. India, on the other hand, broke their three-match losing streak to notch their third win in six matches. The semifinal lineup now includes South Africa, England, and defending champions Australia, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the tournament.
Rawal and Mandhana hit centuries to propel India into semifinals at Women’s Cricket World Cup
