New Delhi: Former India pacer Jhulan Goswami lauded Team India for their commanding 53-run victory over New Zealand at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Thursday — a crucial win that secured India’s semi-final berth and knocked the White Ferns out of the Women’s World Cup.
Jhulan, who retired from international cricket in 2022 after her farewell match at Lord’s, praised the team’s all-round performance, highlighting the stellar opening partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal, both of whom scored centuries.
“Well played, India! @mandhana_smriti and @PratikaRawal64 were outstanding, stitching a record 212-run opening stand — the highest for India in Women’s World Cup history. With this key win, #TeamIndia sails into the semi-finals!” Jhulan wrote on X.
Put in to bat, India got off to a dream start as Mandhana struck 109 off 95 balls, while Rawal top-scored with 122 from 134 deliveries. Their partnership laid the foundation for a massive total.
After Mandhana’s dismissal, Jemimah Rodrigues, returning to the XI after missing the previous game, added fireworks with an unbeaten 76 off just 55 balls, helping India post 340/3 in 49 overs in a rain-interrupted innings.
With another rain delay affecting play, New Zealand were set a revised target of 325 in 44 overs. Despite fighting half-centuries from Brooke Halliday and Isabella Gaze, the Kiwis fell short, finishing at 271/8, as India’s bowlers maintained tight lines and relentless pressure.
With this win, India booked the final semi-final spot, joining Australia, South Africa, and England in the last four.
