Smriti Mandhana scored an incredible 109 runs off of just 95 balls, helping the home team win by 53 runs in a match when New Zealand had to use the DLS technique to chase down 325 in 44 overs. In Match 24 of the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, which took place at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on Thursday, October 23, India Women defeated the New Zealanders handily, with Smriti Mandhana taking center stage at bat.
The team had suffered three straight losses against South Africa, England, and Australia going into the match versus New Zealand Women, according to Smriti Mandhana.
As a result, the Indian team needed to win the match on Thursday in order to guarantee the final berth in the competition for the semi-finals. She believes that experiencing the strain before the world tournament’s business end was enjoyable.
After losing that kind of close game, it was particularly tough for us as we were flying from Indore to Mumbai. Even though we believed we could win, today’s play felt like a virtual quarterfinal. However, I wouldn’t really gripe because World Cups are all about timing your peak. In an interview with BCCI following the match, Smriti stated that playing a knockout match before to a knockout match would not be detrimental in terms of pressure or accepting that pressure.
Smriti, who is currently only one hundred runs away from matching the record for the most hundreds in Women’s ODIs, stated that she doesn’t care much about records if they don’t help the team win. She was therefore pleased that her century came during a time when the Women in Blue were in great need.
“If we lose, the record won’t mean anything. Therefore, I’m quite grateful that I was able to help us win the game tonight. It was a little annoying to get out in the 80s in the previous two games. The Mumbai native continued, “I’m so glad I reached the triple figure today.”
“Now DY Patil is a home for women’s cricket.”
The sensation of homeliness while playing in Navi Mumbai was further articulated by the star batsman. She claims that the ground has taken on the role of a home for women’s cricket and that a crucial victory there would allow the team to rest well for the next few days. After the three straight losses, the team faced harsh criticism from cricket commentators and on social media.
“To begin with, the DY Patil Stadium has always been fantastic. Women’s cricket seems to have found a home there. The atmosphere here has been terrific for the past two or three years. That we won today and that our name now has the qualifier (Q) in front of it makes me very delighted. She said, “I think we can all sleep a little better for the next two or three days and then prepare for the semis.”
The next match for Smriti and the Indian squad is against Bangladesh Women on Sunday, October 26 at the same location. Before moving on to the home World Cup knockout stages, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led team will be hoping to secure a victory in this final league stage match of the major event.
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