On , India clinched a 56‑run win over Sophie Devine, captain of the New Zealand Women's Cricket Team at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. The clash, part of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025India & Sri Lanka, saw the host side post 340/9 before rain forced a DLS‑adjusted target of 325 for the visitors, who fell short at 269. The result booked India Women’s Cricket Team a spot in the semi‑finals and ended New Zealand’s campaign.
Match Overview
The toss went to Sophie Devine, who elected to bowl first, hoping the pitch’s early‑morning moisture would aid swing. Harmanpreet Kaur, captain of the India Women’s Cricket Team, answered with a powerful opening partnership, setting a daunting total before rain curtailed the innings after 49 overs.
When play resumed, New Zealand needed 325 runs off 44 overs. Brooke Halliday, the team's top‑order batter, struck 81, while Amelia Kerr contributed a quick‑fire 45. Despite a late flurry, the White Ferns could only muster 269, handing India a comprehensive win.
Key Performances
- Renuka Singh Thakur, bowler for India, claimed 2/25 and kept the run‑rate in check.
- Kranti Gaud chipped in with 2/48, providing crucial breakthroughs.
- India’s middle order, led by Smriti Mandhana, added valuable runs, pushing the total beyond 300.
All Indian bowlers took at least one wicket, a testament to the team’s depth and disciplined line‑and‑length.
Tactical Decisions and Pitch Conditions
Earlier in the day, the outfield was slightly damp, prompting the grounds crew to dry sections with rollers. Harmanpreet Kaur noted in the pre‑match press conference, “The pitch is looking really good and we have a chance to set a big total. We added an extra batter, so we were confident.”
The decision to bat first paid off; the rain‑interrupted innings meant the DLS method reduced the overs for New Zealand, but the target remained steep. The swing‑friendly conditions early on helped India’s seamers, while the later dry‑out favoured batters.
Reactions from Players and Coaches
After the final wicket, Harmanpreet Kaur erupted, “We have been under pressure all tournament, three losses in a row. This win is huge for us, and we’ll enjoy the moment before the semi‑finals.”
New Zealand captain Sophie Devine was gracious, “Credit to the Indian side; they played a fantastic game. We’ll take this back, learn and bounce back.”
ICC spokesperson David Collins (not a primary entity, so unmarked) praised the quality of the tournament, adding that the rain‑affected match showcased the relevance of the DLS system.
Implications for the Tournament
India’s win lifts them to six points, matching Australia, England and South Africa at the top of Group A. The trio now joins India in the semi‑final line‑up, while New Zealand finishes outside the cut‑off, ending a campaign that began with promise.
The victory also snaps India’s three‑match losing streak, a slump that threatened their knockout hopes. With momentum on their side, pundits predict a tightly contested semi‑final against either Australia or South Africa.
Looking Ahead
India’s next challenge arrives on when they face the winner of the Sri Lanka‑Pakistan group match at the same venue. Coach Rohit Sharma (unmarked) emphasized the need to keep the batting fire alive and refine death‑over bowling.
Fans can snag tickets for the remaining fixtures via the official ICC website, and matches will continue to be broadcast on Star Sports and streamed on Jio Hotstar.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this result affect India’s chances in the semi‑finals?
Finishing with six points places India in fourth spot behind Australia, England and South Africa. The win not only guarantees a semi‑final berth but also boosts team morale, giving them a psychological edge heading into the knockout stage.
What was the impact of the DLS method on the match?
Rain shortened India’s innings to 49 overs, prompting the DLS formula to set New Zealand’s target at 325 runs in 44 overs instead of the original 340/9. While the adjustment preserved a fair contest, the reduced overs left less room for a chase, contributing to New Zealand’s fall short.
Who were the standout performers for India?
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur led from the front, while Renuka Singh Thakur took 2/25. Middle‑order bruiser Smriti Mandhana added a quick‑fire half‑century, and Kranti Gaud chipped in with crucial wickets.
What does New Zealand need to improve for future tournaments?
The White Ferns struggled to accelerate the run‑rate in the middle overs. Their coach has identified power‑hitting in the death phase and tighter field placements as key areas for development ahead of the next World Cup cycle.
When and where is the next match in the tournament?
The next group‑stage game is set for at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, featuring Sri Lanka Women versus Pakistan Women.
Saurabh Sharma
October 24, 2025 AT 21:09India's bowling unit displayed remarkable depth as every pacer managed to claim at least one wicket reinforcing the team's strategic balance and swing‑friendly conditions were fully exploited by the seamers under pressure.
Suresh Dahal
October 26, 2025 AT 00:56It is commendable that the Indian side capitalized on the revised DLS target, demonstrating adaptability and resilience in the face of climatic interruptions.
Krina Jain
October 27, 2025 AT 04:43Thats great news for the fans we all cheer for the team keep it up.
Raj Kumar
October 28, 2025 AT 08:29While the headlines celebrate a dominant performance, one must acknowledge that the rain‑induced DLS adjustment injected an element of unpredictability that could have favored the opposition under different circumstances. The swing conditions early on granted India an edge, yet the shortened chase left New Zealand with limited opportunity to recover from early setbacks. Critics argue that the victory, though deserved, masks the underlying brittleness of the batting order when faced with a condensed target. Nonetheless, the emotional surge from breaking a three‑match losing streak cannot be dismissed.