Follow UsThe equation was quite straightforward for India; they just needed a win against New Zealand on October 23 (Thursday) to seal themselves a place in the final four of the Women’s ODI World Cup. When the toss didn’t go Harmanpreet Kaur’s way, there was a bit of worry whether India would be put in utmost trouble for luck going against them.
However, most clinically, India put on a batting show, courtesy of their two openers – Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana – who broke several partnership records. A 212-run opening stand definitely gave Indian the much-needed impetus in a must-win clash against New Zealand, and from thereon, there was no looking back.
While Mandhana scored a 95-ball 100, Rawal played her best knock in this year’s World Cup, smashing a 134-ball 122. Jemimah Rodrigues’ then put the finishing touches to India’s innings, with a productive and stroke-filled 55-ball 76 that elevated India’s score to 340/3 after 49 overs.
With rain around, India needed to keep the New Zealand top-order batters quiet, and they did so, with Renuka Singh Thakur scalping two crucial wickets, that of Georgia Plimmer and Sophie Devine.
Despite the stellar efforts of Melie Kerr (45), Brooke Halliday (81) and Izzy Gaze (65), New Zealand fell short by 53 runs (DLS method). It helped India to qualify for their first ODI World Cup semi-final since 2017, where they lost in a closely contested final against England.
Australia, England and South Africa are the other three teams in the semi-final.