Prarthana Hazarika
Shillong, Oct 25: Women in Blue have bounced back during the do or die match against the Kiwis on Thursday at the Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium. The host team have been facing a lot of criticism for their performances in the last three matches.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and her teammates bounced back with a scintillating performance by the opening pair of Smiti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal both contributing 212 runs opening partnership. This was followed by local girl Jemima Rodrigues unbeaten half century which helped India post a score of 340/3.
New Zealand faltered in the revised target of 325 by the Duckworth Lewis method due to rain. India won the match by 53 runs thus making it to the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.
Four teams England, Australia, South Africa and India will now fight it out in the semi-final matches to reach to the finals of the tournament. But the question is -Will India be able to keep the momentum going?
This writer tried to find out from Nilima Joglekar, ex international Indian cricketer.
Q: Your first thoughts and reflections on India’s do or die match against the Kiwis?
Nilima Joglekar: Well, the run up to the semi final and what a show by Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal and Jemima Rodrigues then the bowlers did their job well. The turning point came when coach Amol Majumdar and Harmanpreet Kaur saw the big score on board by Smiti and Pratika they promoted Jemima Rodrigues and Harmanpreet and I think this was the best decision made by the coach which made the difference. Every world cup match is important and I am happy that in spite of three consecutive loses India when it mattered, they played well.
Q: Now that India have made it to the semi-finals what should be the approach for the coach and the skipper?
Nilima Joglekar: The journey will get tougher now because all the four semifinalists will look to win their respective matches now. So, we are the underdogs but much is expected from the host team on home soil. So hopefully they will put up similar performance in the semifinal, whoever India faces it’s going to be tough. Amol and Harmapreet have been in the team for good number of years now so it’s important now for the team to come together and play their best. I hope everyone’s fit and fine and just hope they will come up as a team.
Q: Harmanpreet have been criticized for not performing to her capacity, your take on her?
Nilima Joglekar: I believe Harmanpreet have seen a lot of crickets now, she should now put her hands up and say ‘yes’ I am there with the performance that we saw in England couple of years ago, she can totally destroy the bowlers on her day. Here’s wishing the best to the team.
The first Semifinal between England and South Africa will be played on October 29 (ACA Stadium, Guwahati)
The second Semifinal will be played between Australia and India on October 30 (DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai)
