India’s women’s cricket team bounced back with a solid four-wicket win over New Zealand in a rain-affected warm-up match for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. The victory came via the DLS method, helping the team gear up for their opener against Sri Lanka on September 30 in Guwahati.
Chasing 237 to recover from a big loss to England earlier, India got off to a flying start at 54 without loss after eight overs. But New Zealand’s Jess Kerr struck first, dismissing Pratika Rawal, and Uma Chetry followed for 38, leaving India at 71/2.
That’s when Harleen Deol and captain Harmanpreet Kaur took charge. Deol smashed 74, and Kaur powered to 69, building a crucial 132-run stand for the third wicket. They kept India on track through the middle overs. Even as Bree Illing and Kerr grabbed late wickets—including Jemimah Rodrigues and Kaur—India crossed the line with 10 balls left.
New Zealand batted first after captain Sophie Devine won the toss, but rain delayed the start. India grabbed two early wickets to have the Kiwis at 38/2 after eight overs. Devine and Melie Kerr rebuilt with a key partnership, despite another rain break. Devine hit a classy half-century, but Kerr fell for 40 just before the halfway point, with New Zealand at 132/3.
In their first warm-up, New Zealand racked up 273 against India A, thanks to Izzy Gaze’s unbeaten century. But India A chased it down to 226/6 in 39.3 overs before rain hit, winning by DLS. India, meanwhile, struggled in their debut warm-up, falling 152 runs short of England’s massive 339.
Over in the other thriller, Bangladesh edged Sri Lanka by just one run in a heart-pounding warm-up, perfect timing before the World Cup starts on September 30.
After their previous games got washed out by rain, Bangladesh won the toss and batted first, reaching 242/8. Sharmin Akter top-scored with 71, but Sri Lanka’s bowlers kept it tight. Rubya Haider and Sharmin Akter added 90 early on, but Kaveesha Dilhari, Dewmi Vihanga, and Malki Madara each took two wickets to stifle Bangladesh.
Sri Lanka chased hard but started shaky, slipping from 56/1 to 86/4. Dilhari steadied with 63 before a bizarre dismissal—her bat flew off and hit the stumps after a big shot. Nilakshika Silva kept fighting, scoring 75 off 78 balls, but fell in the second-last over.
With nine runs needed off the final over, Marufa Akter held her nerve to defend it, backed by Nahida Akter’s game-changing 3-28 from 10 overs.
Sri Lanka faces India in the World Cup opener in Guwahati on September 30, while Bangladesh takes on Pakistan in Colombo on October 2. Excitement builds as the tournament unfolds across India and Sri Lanka.
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