India Secures Semifinal Spot with 53-Run Win Over New Zealand in Rain-Shortened Match

India advanced to the semifinals of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup with a dominant 53-run victory over New Zealand, in a rain-affected match on Thursday. The win sealed India's place in the top four, while New Zealand's chase fell short despite strong individual efforts from Brooke Halliday and Isabella Gaze.

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Set a revised target of 325 runs in 44 overs after rain interruptions, New Zealand ended their innings at 271/8, falling short by 53 runs via the DLS method. India posted a commanding 340/3 in their allotted 49 overs, thanks to contrasting centuries from Smriti Mandhana (109 off 95 balls) and Pratika Rawal (122 off 134), along with a blistering 76* off 55 balls by Jemimah Rodrigues.

The match was interrupted twice by rain, first after India's 48th over, resulting in a one-hour delay. The second break, during the mid-innings interval, further reduced the match to 44 overs per side, with New Zealand's target recalculated accordingly.

India’s bowlers stepped up, with Kranti Gaud dismissing New Zealand’s opener Suzie Bates early for just 1. Despite brief resistance from Georgia Plimmer (30) and Amelia Kerr (45), the White Ferns' chase was always behind the DLS par score. Kerr was dismissed for 45, and captain Sophie Devine, playing in her final World Cup, was out for a disappointing 6.

Brooke Halliday’s determined 81 off 84 balls gave New Zealand some hope, but after her departure, the chase fizzled out. Isabella Gaze remained unbeaten on 65* off 51 balls, but it wasn’t enough as New Zealand finished well short.

India's victory was built on a collective effort, with Deepti Sharma, Pratika Rawal, and Shree Charani tightening the screws in the middle overs. Renuka Singh was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 2/25, while Kranti Gaud also took 2 wickets for 48 runs.

Brief Scores:

India: 340/3 in 49 overs (Smriti Mandhana 109, Pratika Rawal 122, Jemimah Rodrigues 76*; Suzie Bates 1/40, Rosemary Mair 1/52)

New Zealand (revised target 325 in 44 overs): 271/8 (Brooke Halliday 81, Isabella Gaze 65*, Amelia Kerr 45; Renuka Singh 2/25, Kranti Gaud 2/48)
India won by 53 runs (via DLS method).