Mumbai: India emphatically ended their three-match losing streak by posting a mammoth 340 for 3 in 49 overs against New Zealand in a must-win Women’s World Cup clash at the DY Patil Stadium on Thursday. After a rain interruption, New Zealand have been set a revised target of 325 runs in 44 overs under DLS.
In a performance that perfectly encapsulated their fighting spirit, India produced their highest-ever World Cup total, surpassing the 330 they scored against Australia just two weeks ago in Visakhapatnam. The innings was built on spectacular centuries from Smriti Mandhana (109 off 95) and Pratika Rawal (122 off 134), before Jemimah Rodrigues unleashed a blistering unbeaten 76 off just 55 balls to propel India to a commanding total.
The Foundation: Mandhana-Rawal Show
After New Zealand captain Sophie Devine elected to bowl first, the Kiwi bowlers must have initially felt vindicated when India’s openers played out two maiden overs. But what followed was an absolute masterclass in ODI batting.
Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal constructed a monumental 212-run opening partnership in just 33.2 overs, completely demoralizing the New Zealand attack. This is now India’s highest partnership for any wicket in Women’s World Cup history.
Mandhana’s Brilliance: The Indian vice-captain was in imperious form, racing to her 14th ODI century in just 88 balls. Her innings of 109 off 95 deliveries was studded with 10 boundaries and 4 massive sixes. She is now just one century away from equaling Meg Lanning’s all-time record of 15 ODI hundreds.
The left-hander had a dramatic moment on 77 when she was given out lbw but reluctantly reviewed after being coaxed by Rawal. The replays showed a tiny spike on UltraEdge that saved her, and she made full use of the reprieve to unleash havoc on the New Zealand bowlers.
Rawal’s Composure: If Mandhana provided the fireworks, Rawal was the perfect foil. The 25-year-old opener showcased maturity beyond her years, anchoring the innings beautifully before accelerating in the latter stages. Her 122 off 134 balls, decorated with 13 fours and 2 sixes, was her second ODI century and first in a World Cup.
Rawal was particularly severe square of the wicket, with her cuts and pulls off Lea Tahuhu announcing her intentions early. This partnership marked the seventh century stand between Mandhana and Rawal, the joint-most by an Indian opening pair in women’s ODIs.
The Tactical Masterstroke: Rodrigues at No. 3
When Mandhana departed for 109 – caught by substitute fielder Hannah Rowe off Suzie Bates – India made a bold tactical decision. Instead of sending in the designated No. 3 Harleen Deol, they promoted the returning Jemimah Rodrigues.
It proved to be a masterstroke.
Rodrigues was at her cheeky, innovative best, producing the fastest half-century by an Indian in this World Cup. She swept, reverse-swept, and opened up the off side with pristine inside-out strokes. When bowlers went full, she scythed deliveries behind square with surgical precision.
Her unbeaten 76 off just 55 balls, laced with 11 boundaries, epitomized intent and urgency. More importantly, she helped India plunder 86 runs in the last nine overs, transforming a very good score into a potentially match-winning one.
Rodrigues added 41 runs with Harmanpreet Kaur in quick time, with the skipper contributing just 13 before falling in the final over after play resumed following a 90-minute rain break.
The Acceleration: Second Half Dominance
The statistics tell the story of India’s dominance. After a watchful start that brought 147 runs in 25 overs, India ransacked 193 runs in the remaining 24 overs – a stunning rate of over 8 runs per over.
The turning point came when both Mandhana and Rawal decided to step on the gas simultaneously. Tahuhu was muscled over midwicket repeatedly as India raised their first 150-run opening stand in World Cup history.
Rawal brought up her century off 122 balls and immediately shifted gears, hitting her first six soon after. She was dropped on 108 by Maddy Green at long-off but couldn’t capitalize for long, eventually miscuing Bates to Rowe at long-off for 122.
The Numbers Tell the Story
India’s Innings:
- Total: 340/3 in 49 overs
- Previous World Cup highest: 330 vs Australia (2025)
- Runs in last 9 overs: 86
- Opening partnership: 212 (India’s highest in WC)
- Runs after 25 overs: 193
Individual Performances:
- Smriti Mandhana: 109 (95 balls, 10×4, 4×6) – 14th ODI century
- Pratika Rawal: 122 (134 balls, 13×4, 2×6) – 2nd ODI century
- Jemimah Rodrigues: 76* (55 balls, 11×4) – Fastest Indian fifty this WC
- Harmanpreet Kaur: 13
The Context: Do-or-Die Battle
This match was essentially a quarter-final for both teams. India came into the contest having lost three consecutive matches to Australia, South Africa, and England – the three teams already confirmed for the semi-finals. New Zealand, with two washouts affecting their campaign, were in a similar must-win situation.
The DY Patil Stadium, familiar territory for Indian players from both international cricket and the Women’s Premier League, witnessed a performance that reignited India’s World Cup campaign.
The Challenge for New Zealand
New Zealand now face their highest-ever chase to stay alive in the competition. The revised target of 325 in 44 overs (after the rain break) is a mountainous task on a pitch that has assisted batters but also demands skill and composure.
For New Zealand, the bowling performance was disappointing. After Devine won the toss and chose to bowl in trying conditions, her bowlers wilted under the Indian onslaught. Lea Tahuhu was particularly expensive after being introduced after 10 overs, while even the experienced Amelia Kerr and Suzie Bates couldn’t stem the flow of runs.
The Bigger Picture
This innings showcased everything India had been missing in their previous three defeats. Unlike the match against Australia where a similar 155-run opening stand couldn’t be converted into a winning total due to middle-order failures, today India learned from their mistakes.
The tactical decision to promote Rodrigues, the sustained aggression in the death overs, and the clinical execution of strokes showed a team that has found its rhythm at the perfect time.
If India can defend this total – and on this evidence, they have every chance – they will set up a semi-final showdown, most likely against one of the three teams that beat them earlier in the tournament. This time, India will fancy their chances of turning the tables.
What the Experts Say
Cricket analysts have hailed this as one of India’s most complete batting performances in recent World Cup history. The combination of a rock-solid opening partnership, tactical flexibility in the batting order, and ruthless death-over hitting makes India a formidable opponent for any team.
As the rain clouds cleared over Navi Mumbai, India’s World Cup hopes shone brighter than they have in weeks. The question now is: can their bowlers defend 325 and keep the dream alive?
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