At the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, in a match that will determine the last semi-final spot of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, India and New Zealand took the field with their destiny at stake. India are sitting fourth and New Zealand right behind them in fifth place and both teams are vying for survival with three semi-final places already accounted for.
What went down under the bright floodlights of this pressure-packed encounter was nothing less than a batting show between Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal penning one of India’s greatest ODI moments.
Smriti Mandhana was sensational, crafting a fluent 109 off 95 balls, laced with 10 fours and 4 sixes, setting the perfect tone for India’s innings. Pratika Rawal on the other end displayed remarkable composure and precision, anchoring the stand with a brilliant 122 off 134 deliveries, striking 13 fours and 2 sixes. Together, their blend of aggression and control powered India to a dominant platform in this crucial Navi Mumbai clash.
Their historic 212-run opening-stand off 200 balls not only propelled India to a decisive total but also reshaped the landscape of Indian women’s cricketing history. Statistically, it is now the highest ever partnership for India in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup. However, outside of the record books, it was an innings that embodied the spirit of big-match temperament.
This alliance at Navi Mumbai also became the highest opening stand in the ongoing 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, outdoing Australia’s Phoebe Litchfield and Alyssa Healy’s earlier record in a 10-wicket win over Bangladesh. Right from the first ball, Mandhana and Rawal showed presence of mind and impeccable coordination, the left-right combination functioning in smooth as the packed stands roared with every boundary.
Along with this century mark, Mandhana and Rawal took their count of 100-plus ODI partnerships to seven—the highest by any Indian duo, along with Mithali Raj and Poonam Raut. The stunning turn of events is the fact that they got there so quickly—only 23 innings, as opposed to Raj and Raut’s 34. Their striking consistency and understanding have made them India’s most reliable ODI opening pair of the generation.
On the international charts, they occupy joint third position in the all-time list of pairs to have the most 100-run stands in women’s ODIs. Their run scoring feats are a testimony to India’s bolstered top order foundation, complementing the side’s increasing bowling depth and fielding quickness traits.
Just as impressive, the pair equaled the record for the most century stands shared in a calendar year (5), a record last set 25 years ago by Australian legends Belinda Clark and Lisa Keightley. The DY Patil audience saw history being made when Mandhana and Rawal’s names were included in that list, establishing their consistency across grounds and opponents.
With the addition of a milestone to milestones, they became the sole Indian opening pair, and the third overall, in World Cup history to have two 150+ partnerships in the same edition. The 212-run partnership was also the fourth-highest opening stand in Women’s ODI World Cup history and the highest ever by India in any edition.
For the thousands watching, the game is more than just a number game; it is a class in partnership. Mandhana played her signature combination of grace and aggression, while Rawal mixed placement, precision, and composure to perfection. The two combined to transform a high-pressure match that can lead India to semi-finals into an exhibition of cool, calmly calculated and controlled innings.
As the high-stakes clash unfolds, Mandhana and Rawal’s commanding partnership has already tilted the contest firmly in India’s favour. Jemimah Rodrigues’ blitz of 76* powered India to post 340, their highest World Cup total. It has significantly boosted India’s chances of clinching this encounter and moving closer to the last semi-final spot. This innings has already become one of the defining moments of India’s 2025 campaign, a statement of belief, composure, and brilliance under pressure.
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