Women Cricket World Cup: It’s a big relief, says Mandhana after India storms into semifinal

India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana on Thursday (October 23, 2025) described qualifying for the Ladies’s World Cup semifinals as “a giant reduction,” because the workforce bounced again from three successive defeats after beginning the match as one of many favourites.

India became the last team to qualify for the semifinals, joining Australia, South Africa and England, following a 53-run win over New Zealand through the DLS methodology in a rain-affected recreation right here.

“For positive, it is a massive reduction by way of qualifying. The final three video games have been actually robust. We thought we performed some good cricket however simply could not win, so that is actually relieving,” Mandhana mentioned on the post-match presentation.

The trendy left-handed batter smashed 109, her fifth century of the calendar 12 months, whereas opening associate Pratika Rawal notched her maiden World Cup hundred, scoring 122.

The duo shared a file 212-run partnership for the primary wicket, main India to 340/3 in 49 overs, their highest complete within the Ladies’s World Cup, surpassing the 330 they made towards Australia in Visakhapatnam earlier within the match.

The goal was revised to 325 in 44 overs after one other rain delay, and the 2000 version champions managed 271/8.

Mandhana, adjudged participant of the match, mentioned Pratika deserved the award as a lot as she did. “Pratika deserved this as a lot as I do.”

On batting with Pratika and why it really works so effectively, she mentioned, “We have been requested this query for the final eight months, and I do not suppose both of us can reply it completely.

“However we’re related folks — we each simply need to do the job for the workforce. We do not discuss rather a lot within the center.

“She’s a superb anchor and actually permits me to play my pure recreation. When she will get going, I can chip in with the anchor function. That actually works for us. We perceive that when one individual goes, the opposite can simply deal with rotating the strike.”

India had hit a roadblock after wins over Sri Lanka and Pakistan, shedding to South Africa, Australia, after which England.

“I again myself to play an extended innings as soon as I get to twenty. In World Cups, it’s a must to go away a number of issues behind. In case you are in kind, you must preserve going and never complicate issues — that is what I stored telling myself. I am feeling good, and that is what issues.” Overcoming the anxious moments following three defeats was not simple, mentioned skipper Harmanpreet Kaur.

“Credit score goes to all the workforce for the best way we fought immediately. We knew how necessary this recreation was, all the workforce was charged up, and I’m pleased with how we performed immediately. Credit score goes to Smriti and Pratika for the best way they took duty. We obtained an excellent begin,” Harmanpreet mentioned.

On the strain of taking part in a house World Cup, she mentioned, “At any time when you’re taking part in at dwelling, everybody expects rather a lot from you. As a workforce, we focus on that that is our dwelling and the group is at all times cheering for us. This can be a second to get pleasure from moderately than simply placing strain on ourselves.”

Irritating match for New Zealand

Having endured three losses from six video games, White Ferns skipper Sophie Devine termed it a irritating match.

“We’re extremely dissatisfied and gutted, not only for ourselves however for our family and friends. Irritating match — would have beloved extra alternatives to play and with the bat. Credit score to them. Goal was simply too massive for us,” mentioned Devine.