India’s journey in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup has been a riveting saga of highs and lows, marked by moments of brilliance and bouts of self-doubt. After suffering a disheartening series of three consecutive defeats in the middle of the tournament, the Indian women’s cricket team rediscovered their rhythm and composure to deliver a commanding performance against New Zealand on Thursday night. This victory at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium not only secured India’s place in the semi-finals but also rekindled hopes of a maiden World Cup title.
The match against New Zealand was essentially a do-or-die encounter for both sides, each desperate to keep their tournament dreams alive. India, who had been struggling with inconsistency and pressure-induced errors in their previous outings, finally broke free from the shadows of mediocrity. Questions had been raised about their technical skills and mental resolve under pressure, especially after the trio of narrow defeats. However, the team’s response against New Zealand was emphatic and inspiring.
Central to India’s resurgence was a sensational opening partnership between vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and the rising star Pratika Rawal. The duo put on a record 212 runs for the first wicket, setting a strong foundation for the team’s innings. Mandhana, renowned for her elegant stroke play, led the way with her characteristic flair, while Rawal showcased her growth as a dependable batter, moving beyond sparkling cameos to play substantial innings. Their partnership was further bolstered by an unbeaten half-century from Jemimah Rodrigues, who had earlier faced criticism and even been dropped after a string of low scores. Rodrigues’ comeback was a testament to her resilience and ability to perform when it mattered most.
India posted a formidable total of 340 runs for the loss of only three wickets. The target for New Zealand was adjusted to 325 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method due to rain interruptions that curtailed the playing time. Despite the revised target being slightly less daunting, New Zealand’s top order struggled to build momentum against India’s disciplined bowling attack. This left the middle and lower order with a challenging task, which they ultimately could not overcome. India’s bowlers, including Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, and Sneh Rana, alongside wicket-takers Renuka Singh, Kanto Goud, and Shree Charani, executed their plans effectively, restricting New Zealand and securing a comfortable 53-run victory.
The match was witnessed by over 25,000 spectators, marking the highest attendance during the group stages of a women’s ICC tournament. The electric atmosphere and home crowd support added to the significance of India’s triumph, underscoring the growing popularity and importance of women’s cricket in the country.
While India celebrated, it is important to acknowledge that New Zealand faced their own set of challenges during the tournament. Two of their earlier matches were washed out due to rain, affecting their points tally and disrupting their momentum. Against a revitalized India, they appeared rusty and lacked the energy needed to compete at the highest level on the night. This context does not diminish India’s performance but rather highlights the unpredictable nature of tournament cricket, where external factors like weather can play a crucial role.
As co-hosts alongside Sri Lanka, India entered the tournament with high expectations. Early victories, including a significant win over arch-rival Pakistan, hinted at their potential to break a longstanding World Cup jinx. Over the past decade, India’s women’s team has made it to two World Cup finals: the 2017 ODI final against England and the 2020 T20 final against Australia. Both occasions ended in heartbreak, but the experiences have contributed to the team’s growth and ambition.
India’s strong start in this World Cup fueled hopes of a title run, but the momentum was threatened by three successive defeats to South Africa, Australia, and England. Each loss was agonizingly close, underscoring the fine margins that separate victory from defeat at this level. The matches against South Africa and Australia both ended with losses by just three wickets, won in the final moments, while the defeat to England was even narrower—a mere four-run margin while defending a hefty total of 288 runs.
The loss to South Africa was particularly painful. While Australia has traditionally been a difficult opponent for India and England tends to be evenly matched, South Africa’s victory was viewed as an upset. These tight contests revealed India’s struggles to close out games under pressure, whether