The White Ferns vs India Women’s World Cup 2025 clash at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai turned out to be a heartbreaking moment for New Zealand cricket fans. With semifinal hopes on the line, the White Ferns needed nothing short of a victory. However, Team India displayed a dominant all-round performance, crushing the Kiwi side by 53 runs (DLS method) and booking their spot in the semifinals alongside Australia, South Africa, and England.
The loss not only ended the White Ferns’ campaign but also marked an emotional farewell for skipper Sophie Devine, who played her last ODI World Cup game. Despite their earlier T20 triumph, the team once again fell short in the 50-over format — their third consecutive World Cup without a semifinal appearance.
Match Summary at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Venue | DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai |
| Match Type | ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 |
| Result | India beat New Zealand (White Ferns) by 53 runs (DLS) |
| India’s Score | 340/3 (49 overs) |
| New Zealand’s Score | 271/8 (44 overs) |
| Top Indian Scorer | Pratika Rawal – 122 (134) |
| Top New Zealand Scorer | Brooke Halliday – 81 (84) |
| Best Indian Bowler | Renuka Singh – 2/25 |
| Best NZ Bowler | Suzie Bates – 1/40 |
| Player of the Match | Smriti Mandhana – 109 (95) |
| Method | DLS (Rain-affected) |
Rain and Resilience: The Story of the Match
The match began under cloudy skies, and rain interruptions were expected. But even before the weather could interfere, India’s batting dominance had already written the script.
After being asked to bat first, openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal put on a breathtaking 212-run partnership, leaving the White Ferns’ bowlers clueless. Their chemistry, timing, and stroke play were near perfection.
Mandhana’s classic drives and Rawal’s calm shot selection dismantled every bowling change made by Sophie Devine. The opening bowlers, Rosemary Mair and Jess Kerr, had initially kept things tight, allowing only six runs in the first four overs — but that control didn’t last long.
By the 20th over, India’s score was cruising past 120 without loss. Devine’s attempts to break the partnership with spin and pace alternation proved futile.
Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal’s Record Partnership
Mandhana’s innings of 109 off 95 balls was filled with elegance — cuts, pulls, and lofted drives that lit up Navi Mumbai. Meanwhile, Pratika Rawal anchored the innings with a composed 122 off 134, ensuring India’s momentum never dipped.
Their 212-run stand became India’s second-highest opening partnership in Women’s World Cup history, just behind the famous Mandhana-Verma duo of 2022.
A few milestones achieved during the innings:
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Mandhana crossed 4,000 ODI runs during the match.
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Rawal registered her second World Cup century.
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India crossed 300+ for the third consecutive match — a new national record in women’s ODIs.
Rain Disruption and DLS Adjustment
Just as India looked to push past 350, rain halted play for 90 minutes. The score stood at 329/2 after 48 overs, already a massive mountain to climb.
When play resumed, the game was reduced to 44 overs per side, and India’s innings closed at 340/3 — their second-highest total ever conceded by the White Ferns.
Due to the DLS calculation, New Zealand faced a daunting target of 325 runs in 44 overs, requiring an impossible 7.4 runs per over from the start.
White Ferns’ Struggle During the Run Chase
Despite their strong batting lineup, the White Ferns vs India Women’s World Cup 2025 chase never took off. Opener Suzie Bates fell early, mistiming a lofted shot that found the fielder. Georgia Plimmer was next, bowled by a beautiful inswinger from Renuka Singh, who was on fire with the new ball.
Captain Sophie Devine, under immense pressure in her farewell match, couldn’t find rhythm and was bowled by Singh soon after.
By the halfway mark, the scoreboard read 120/4, and the required rate had climbed to nearly 9 runs per over.
Brooke Halliday and Isabella Gaze Fight Back
While the top order failed, Brooke Halliday (81 off 84) and Isabella Gaze (65 off 51) showcased grit and determination. Their partnership of 102 runs added some respectability to the scorecard, frustrating the Indian bowlers for a while.
But with Kranti Gaud and Deepti Sharma striking in quick succession, the chase crumbled once again. By the end of 44 overs, the White Ferns could only muster 271/8, falling short by 53 runs (DLS).
🇮🇳 India’s Clinical Bowling Performance
India’s bowling unit executed their plans to perfection.
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Renuka Singh (2/25) provided crucial breakthroughs in the Powerplay.
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Kranti Gaud (2/48) and Deepti Sharma (1/42) tightened the screws in the middle overs.
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The fielding was sharp — highlighted by Mandhana’s sharp catch and Rowe’s flying effort.
Even though the pitch offered little assistance, India’s disciplined line and field placements prevented the White Ferns from accelerating.
End of an Era: Sophie Devine’s Farewell
For New Zealand, this defeat carried emotional weight. Sophie Devine, one of the most influential figures in women’s cricket, played her last ODI World Cup match. The team gave her a guard of honor, and fans at DY Patil Stadium applauded her remarkable contribution.
Devine’s farewell marked the end of an era — a player who led by example, inspired countless young cricketers, and brought New Zealand women’s cricket to global prominence.
Performance Comparison: India vs White Ferns
| Aspect | Team India | White Ferns |
|---|---|---|
| Runs Scored | 340/3 (49 overs) | 271/8 (44 overs) |
| Highest Partnership | 212 (Rawal–Mandhana) | 102 (Halliday–Gaze) |
| Run Rate | 6.9 | 6.1 |
| Boundaries (4s & 6s) | 41 | 32 |
| Wickets Lost | 3 | 8 |
| Bowling Economy (Avg) | 5.8 | 6.9 |
India Qualify for Semifinals
With this commanding win, India sealed their semifinal spot — joining Australia, South Africa, and England.
Their consistency in both batting and bowling has made them one of the top favorites for the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 title.
Coach Ramesh Powar praised the team’s composure, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur credited the openers for setting the foundation for victory.
Expert Reactions
Cricket experts and former players were full of praise for India’s dominance:
“Mandhana’s form is peaking at the right time. India look ready for the knockouts.” — Jhulan Goswami
“New Zealand’s batting lacked belief. India’s bowling plan was flawless.” — Lisa Sthalekar
Meanwhile, Devine’s retirement drew emotional reactions from teammates and fans worldwide, marking the end of a celebrated career.
Key Takeaways
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India’s Openers Dominated: Mandhana and Rawal’s partnership built the platform.
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Rain Changed the Dynamics: The DLS target made the chase nearly impossible.
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White Ferns’ Middle Order Shone Briefly: Halliday and Gaze’s efforts were commendable.
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Renuka Singh’s Early Strikes: Set the tone for India’s bowling success.
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Devine’s Emotional Farewell: A fitting end to a glorious ODI career.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who won the India vs White Ferns Women’s World Cup 2025 match?
India defeated the White Ferns by 53 runs (DLS method) at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai.
2. Who were the top performers in the match?
Smriti Mandhana (109), Pratika Rawal (122), and Renuka Singh (2/25) starred for India.
For New Zealand, Brooke Halliday (81) and Isabella Gaze (65) were standout performers.
3. What was the final score of India vs New Zealand Women’s World Cup 2025?
India scored 340/3 (49 overs) while New Zealand managed 271/8 (44 overs).
4. Did rain affect the match outcome?
Yes. Rain reduced the match to 44 overs per side, and the DLS method adjusted New Zealand’s target to 325 runs.
5. What does this result mean for both teams?
India advanced to the semifinals, while New Zealand were eliminated from the tournament.
6. Was this Sophie Devine’s last ODI World Cup match?
Yes. This was Sophie Devine’s final appearance in the 50-over World Cup format for New Zealand.
Conclusion
The White Ferns vs India Women’s World Cup 2025 match will be remembered for India’s unstoppable batting, Renuka’s sharp bowling, and the emotional farewell of Sophie Devine. While India march confidently toward the semifinals, the White Ferns will reflect on missed opportunities and inconsistency that cost them dearly.
As the cricketing world now awaits the knockout stage, one thing is clear — Team India’s hunger for the World Cup glory burns brighter than ever.
