In the ICC Women’s ODI Cricket World Cup, India stormed into the semifinals after beating New Zealand by 53 runs at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai last night. Put in to bat first, Indian openers Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana hit brilliant centuries to power India to a massive 340 for 3 in 49 overs in the rain-affected match. Mandhana scored 109, while Rawal made 122, as they shared a record-breaking 212-run opening stand, the highest for India in Women’s World Cup history.

 

 

Chasing a revised DLS target of 325 from 44 overs, New Zealand managed 271 for 8 in the allotted overs, with Brooke Halliday top-scoring with 81 runs. With this win, India now has six points from three victories and joins Australia, England, and South Africa in the semifinals.