India beat New Zealand by 53 runs, enter Women's World Cup semifinals

MUMBAI: India has reached the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup after beating a strong New Zealand side in a crucial match. According to the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, India won by 53 runs. Batting first, India scored 340 runs for the loss of three wickets in 49 overs. As per the DLS method, New Zealand’s target was revised to 325 runs in 44 overs. However, they could manage only 271 runs for eight wickets.

While chasing the target, Brooke Halliday (81 off 84) and wicketkeeper Izzy Gaze (65* off 51) fought hard for New Zealand, but their efforts weren’t enough to take the team home. All-rounder Amelia Kerr scored 45 (53), opener Georgia Plimmer 30 (25), captain Sophie Devine 6 (9), Maddy Green 18 (20), Jess Kerr 18 (13), and Rosemary Mair 1 (3). For India, Renuka Singh Thakur and Kranti Gowd shone with the ball, taking two wickets each.

Earlier, after losing the toss and being sent to bat, India’s openers powered the team to a massive total. Pratika Rawal (122 off 134) and Smriti Mandhana (109 off 95) hit centuries, while Jemimah Rodrigues remained unbeaten with a fine 76 (55). Captain Harmanpreet Kaur scored 10 (11), and Richa Ghosh stayed not out on 4 (1). For New Zealand, Rosemary Mair, Suzie Bates, and Amelia Kerr took one wicket each.