NZW  – 271-8 (44)

Player of the Match – Smriti Mandhana

The India women vs New Zealand women game was a knockout game for New Zealand and also important for India to qualify for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.

Indian women faced New Zealand women on Thursday, October 23, at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, in the ICC Women’s World Cup.

The New Zealand women’s team won the toss and opted to bowl first. It was an important game for India, and they played like it. Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal opened for India. They made an opening partnership of 212 runs, after Mandhana got out on Suzie Bates’s ball. Mandhana scored 109 runs in just 95 balls. 

Pratika Rawal scored her maiden World Cup hundred. Amelia Kerr took Pratika Rawal’s wicket. Pratika scored 122 runs in 134 balls. Before the rain, Jemimah Rodrigues scored her fifty. After the rain, India played one more over of Rosemary, and she took the Indian captain, Harman Preet Kaur. Richa Ghosh finished in her style with a four.

India posts a total of 340-3 in 49 overs. The revised DLS score for New Zealand was 325 in 44 overs. 

Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer opened for New Zealand. India took an early wicket in the second over, with Kranti Gaud dismissing Suzie Bates. Amelia Kerr and Georgia built a partnership, but Renuka broke it by taking the wicket of Plimmer. Renuka again struck, this time the New Zealand captain Sophie Devine. Sneh Rana took the wicket of Amelia, who scored 45 runs.

Brooke and Isabella gave a last hope to chase, but the score was out of range at that time. Brook scored 81 runs, and Isabella scored 65 runs. India won by 53 runs (DLS Method)

3 games are remaining for India – against England, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. All these matches are crucial to keep their qualification hopes alive. Out of the three, two matches will be tough. If India wins all the remaining matches, they will qualify comfortably. Otherwise, qualification may come down to net run rate, which is not an ideal situation. If India wins only one match, their chances will depend on how other teams perform.

The Bangladesh match looks easier on paper and will be India’s last league game. If qualification comes down to NRR, India can capitalize on this match to boost their chances.

India will play against England on October 19, New Zealand on October 23, and their final match against Bangladesh on October 26.