This was must-win territory for both teams, but the bulk of the pressure was on India. Searching for their maiden Women’s World Cup crown, they headed into this tournament, on home soil, as title favourites alongside Australia and England.
Comfortable victories over Sri Lanka and Pakistan gave them the ideal start but then they faltered, suffering consecutive defeats to South Africa, Australia, and England – and on all three occasions, they were left to rue what might have been.
They reduced South Africa to 81-5 chasing 252 before being blown away by Nadine de Klerk. They failed to defend 330 against Australia, having earlier lost 36-6 at the back end of their innings. Against England, they failed to chase 289 despite needing a manageable 62 runs from the final 10 overs – they lost by four runs.
But they returned to winning ways with a ruthless batting display against New Zealand.
At the top of the order, Mandhana passed 50 for the third consecutive innings while Rawal now has a hundred to go with her half-century against Australia. Both players showed good patience as they weathered the swing of Rosemary Mair and Jess Kerr early in the powerplay before settling into serene partnership against a toothless New Zealand attack.
Rodrigues, meanwhile, seized her opportunity after being promoted up the order, scoring freely around the ground as she became the seventh India player to pass 50 at the tournament.
Combined, India’s batters hit 42 boundaries and scored at just under seven an over.
However, the same ruthlessness was not on display during New Zealand’s chase.
They dropped several catches, gave up boundaries with ease, and never looked like bowling New Zealand out despite removing three of their top four inside 12 overs.
While Gaze’s onslaught came too late to put the hosts in any danger of losing, India failed to deliver the statement performance which would reaffirm their status as serious title contenders.
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