India Women Defeat New Zealand by 63 Runs to Reach CWC25 Semis

When India Women's national cricket team walked off the field at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy International Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on October 23, 2025, the scoreboard read a 63‑run victory over New Zealand Women's national cricket team via the Duckworth‑Lewis‑Stern (DLS) method. The win punched India’s ticket to the semifinals of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025India, a tournament jointly overseen by the International Cricket Council (ICC) from its Dubai headquarters. The stakes were high, the crowd electric, and the margin — exactly 63 runs — felt like a statement.

Background and Tournament Context

India entered the group stage as one of the pre‑tournament favourites, having finished runners‑up in the 2022 edition. Their campaign had been a roller‑coaster: a convincing win against South Africa, a narrow loss to Australia, and a stunning chase against England that left fans buzzing. Meanwhile, New Zealand, captained by the ever‑dynamic Sophie Devine, had already seen their semifinal hopes evaporate after early defeats. The White Ferns were now chasing a fifth‑place finish to edge out Sri Lanka in the standings.

According to the tournament’s official standings on October 23, both New Zealand and Sri Lanka had played eight matches each, but New Zealand needed a win against England in their next fixture to leapfrog the Lankans. The match against India, therefore, was a formality for the Ferns but a crucial stepping stone for India.

Match Details and the DLS Outcome

India won the toss and elected to bat, a decision that paid dividends when openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana stitched together a solid 102‑run partnership. Verma’s aggressive 57 off 48 balls set the tone, while Mandhana’s elegant 49 anchored the innings. The middle order added quick runs, pushing the total to 258/5 in the allotted 50 overs.

Rain interrupted New Zealand’s chase after 12 overs, prompting officials to invoke the DLS method. The revised target was 197 runs from 31 overs. New Zealand’s openers struggled against India’s disciplined pace attack, led by Jhulan Kaur, who claimed two wickets for just 22 runs. The White Ferns collapsed from 50/1 to 135 all out, falling 62 runs short of the DLS target. The final margin of 63 runs — one run more than the deficit — was a bittersweet echo for New Zealand, whose lowest score of the tournament (168) had come just days earlier against England.

New Zealand’s Campaign and Devine’s Farewell

The match took on extra poignancy because it marked one of the last ODIs for Sophie Devine. The 35‑year‑old all‑rounder, who debuted on January 28, 2007, announced before the tournament that the 2025 World Cup would be her swan song in the 50‑over format. In a statement released by New Zealand Cricket, the board highlighted her 18‑year ODI career: 167 matches, 3,212 runs and 141 wickets.

Despite the loss, Devine’s leadership remained evident. After the rain‑shortened innings, she gathered her teammates and reminded them that a fifth‑place finish was still within reach if they triumphed over England. The Ferns’ next match, scheduled for October 27 at the Mohan Babu Stadium in Hyderabad, would be her final ODI appearance.

Reactions and Implications

Post‑match, India’s coach Ricky Ponting praised the team’s composure under pressure. “We knew the rain could change everything,” he said, “but the girls stuck to the game plan and executed when it mattered.”

On the other side, Sophie Devine expressed disappointment but optimism: “It’s not the way I wanted to go out, but I’m proud of the way we fought. The boys (team) have a chance to finish strong, and that’s all I can ask for.”

The victory also sparked celebration among Indian fans. Social media exploded with hashtags like #IndiaWomen #CWC25Semis, while street vendors outside the stadium handed out celebratory “Victory!” banners. The win bolsters India’s chances of clinching their first Women’s World Cup title, a dream that has lingered since the team’s runner‑up finish in 2017.

Looking Ahead: Semifinals and Beyond

India now faces either Australia or England in the semifinals, a clash scheduled for November 2 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Both opponents have shown formidable form, so India will need to balance aggressive batting with disciplined bowling.

For New Zealand, the England match is a make‑or‑break situation. A win would secure fifth place and give Devine a fairy‑tale goodbye. If they fall short, they’ll finish sixth, capping an under‑whelming campaign.

• Key Fact 1: India posted 258/5, their highest total of the tournament.
• Key Fact 2: Rain reduced New Zealand’s chase to 197 runs in 31 overs via DLS.
• Key Fact 3: Sophie Devine’s final ODI will be against England on Oct 27.
• Key Fact 4: India advances to the semifinals for the first time since 2017.
• Key Fact 5: New Zealand needs a win to overtake Sri Lanka for fifth place.