LIVE: Rain stops India-New Zealand CWC25 clash
With three of the four semi-final berths locked in, the hosts and the White Ferns will be eager to etch their name one step closer to the trophy in Navi Mumbai.
India reached a commanding 329/2 before rain halted play in their ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 clash against New Zealand. Centuries from Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana laid the foundation for India’s strong first winnings while Jemimah Rodrigues added further momentum with a brisk half-century to keep the innings flowing.
Earlier, Jemimah Rodrigues and Pratika Rawal stitched together a 76-run stand before Rawal’s fine knock came to an end. The opener was caught in the deep by Hannah Rowe, who completed a sharp diving effort off Amelia Kerr’s bowling.
It was Suzie Bates who had broken a 213-run stand for the opening wicket with the wicket of Smriti Mandhana . Mandhana was dismissed when she tried to go big but was caught out at deep midwicket after getting a top edge.
India had got off to a flying start against New Zealand with openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal stitching together a commanding 212-run partnership, India’s best opening stand in the tournament so far. Mandhana notched up her first century of the tournament and 14th in ODIs, putting India in a dominant position early on before she was dismissed by Bates.
Rawal then struck her first century to continue her fine run in the World Cup. Earlier in the innings, she became the joint-fastest batter to 1000 ODI runs, achieving the feat in just 23 innings.
A decorated century for Rawal | CWC25
Watch Pratika Rawal bring up her maiden World Cup century during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup clash between India and New Zealand.
India and New Zealand face their toughest challenge yet with a win needed for both sides to seal their semi-final showdown with one of Australia, England or South Africa, who have locked in the three other spots.
The hosts have made one change to their line up with Jemimah Rodrigues replacing Amanjot Kaur.
India enter the contest on the back of three losses on the trot against the aforementioned three sides and will look for some momentum to get past the White Ferns, who have also faced back-to-back losses against South Africa and Australia.
For India, the equation is simple - beat New Zealand and the last semi-final spot is theirs. But for New Zealand, a win today and a host of favourable outcomes will be needed in the last round of group-stage fixtures to determine their fate.
Must-win game for India and New Zealand | Will to Win Preview Show | CWC25
Sanjana Ganesan previews the do-or-die clash between India and New Zealand in ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025.
SQUADS:
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Uma Chetry, Renuka Singh Thakur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud. Reserves: Tejal Hasabnis, Prema Rawat, Priya Mishra, Minnu Mani, Sayali Satghare
New Zealand: Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Hannah Rowe, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Melie Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Georgia Plimmer, Lea Tahuhu
