India’s women eased into the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup semi‑finals after a rain‑hit win over New Zealand in Navi‑Mumbai. The hosts beat the White Ferns by 53 runs using the DLS method, sealing a place in the last four.
India batted first. Smriti Mandhana thundered 109 off 95 balls, and Pratika Rawal added 122 off 134. Jemimah Rodrigues finished unbeaten on 76, giving India a total of 340 for three in 49 overs. The innings was shortened twice by rain – first after the 48th over and again at the mid‑innings break – cutting the match to 49 and then 44 overs for New Zealand.
New Zealand began a chase of the revised target of 325. They struggled from the start: Kranti Gaud broke the partnership early, dismissing opener Suzie Bates for just one. Georgia Plimmer and Amelia Kerr went quick, passing 50 in nine overs, but the power‑play left a gap.
Sophie Devine, World Cup’s most experienced player, tried to steady the ship but was out for six off Renuka Singh. A sharp catch put New Zealand at 59 for 3, and the pressure mounted. Amelia Kerr reached 45 but was dismissed early. Brooke Halliday kept the run rate alive, scoring her first half‑century (81 from 84 balls), but the innings was slow and the scoreboard lagged.
Isabella Gaze added a quick 65 not out, smashing boundaries at every chance, but her hits could not overcome India’s run‑rate advantage. Halliday was caught by Sneh Rana at long‑on, marking New Zealand’s end of the world‑cup bid.
India’s bowlers, especially Renuka Singh and Kranti Gaud, kept the pressure on, and the combination of batting strength and disciplined bowling carried the hosts to victory. The win not only moves India into the semi‑finals but also cements their place as the favourite on home soil.
Source: ianslive
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