Player of the Match
Player of the Match

END OF OVER:
44 | 5 Runs 1 Wkt | NZ-W: 271/8 (54 runs required, RR: 6.15)

  • Isabella Gaze65 (51b)
  • Deepti Sharma8-0-57-1
  • Kranti Gaud9-0-48-2

11:45pm That is a wrap from us for tonight. India become the fourth team to qualify, and all that now needs sorting is the semi-final line-up. We will be back with more action tomorrow as Sri Lanka take on Pakistan. Until then, from Raghav, Shashank, Vairavan and myself (Shashwat), it is goodbye. Take care, folks!

Harmanpreet Kaur, India captain: It was not easy. Credit goes to the entire team for the way we fought today. We knew how important this game was, entire team was charged up and happy with how we played today. We were getting starts but unfortunately, were unable to make it big. Credit goes to Smriti and Pratika for the way they took responsibility. We got a very good start. When they both scored 200 runs on the board, that is when we decided if we can put Jemi (in at 3). The way she batted, that is what the entire world was expecting from her. (On pressure of playing a home World Cup) Whenever you are playing at home, everyone expects a lot from you. As a team, we discuss that this is our home and crowd is always cheering for us. This is a moment to enjoy rather than just putting pressure (on ourselves). Really happy with the way we executed. It was not easy (after three defeats). But everyone in the team, they stood up. The way we lifted each other, that shows how positive we were. We knew last three games did not go well, but we knew we are going to change it. Today was the right time and really happy (we could do it). (Last game against Bangladesh) We have been doing really well while batting but bowling is something that I personally feel we have to put ourselves strong. As a bowling unit as well, hopefully we can come together and show a better way.

Sophie Devine, New Zealand captain: We are incredibly disappointed and gutted, not just for ourselves but for our friands and family. Bloody frustrating tournament - would have loved more opportunities to play and with the bat. Credit to them. Target was just too big for us. Loved the way they (Gaze and Halliday) fought and scrapped for us. Could we have gotten closer in 50 overs? Who knows, but gutted. We were outstanding in the powerplay, contained them well, stayed on the stumps. 300-320 was on par (on a belter of a surface). It is difficult when you don't take wickets, opposition teams can go hard and be expansive. Our fielding was outstanding (despite dropping a couple catches). When they have a partnership like that, hard to stay in it, but the girls did well. Today was not our day. (On Gaze and Halliday) The way those two have continued to grow in the last 18-24 months, really excited to see from the side-lines where they can go. Brooke has been exceptional this tournament. Her ability to stay calm and play different sort of innings, that is a special talent to manage that. Plenty of positives, but unfortunate that this is the sort of end for our tournament. (On Tahuhu playing her 200th international) She has been huge. Not the way she would have wanted to play this game and the result she would have wanted. She has been monumental in what she has been able to give it. She has been great this tournament, but that is the nature of this tournament. We will celebrate with her later on, and not the result (we wanted), but important we acknowledge here achievement. (On their last game against England) I have probably said it within the changing room. It is just about how we play the game. If we go out and play like how we can, I can hold my head high. Every game that you get to play for NZ is a huge honour. We cannot progress, but we are going to give them (England) a good run for their money.

Smriti Mandhana, Player of the Match: (Sense of relief) For sure, big relief in terms of qualifying. The last three games were really tough. We thought we played some good cricket but could not win. Really relieved. Pratika deserved this as much as I do. (On if targeting spin was a plan today) I like pace more than spin for sure, like to dominate pace. Important game, a few nerves in the first few overs in trying to give a good start. Saw the scoreboard (we were five off three overs), and I was like we cannot do that. Just back yourself (after that) and play the ball. The first three games did not go my way, especially the second and third one. I back myself to play a longer innings after getting to 20. In World Cups, you have to keep a lot of things in the past. If you are in form, you need to keep going and not complicate things. That is what I kept telling myself. I am feeling good and that is what matters. (On batting with Rawal and why it works so well) We have been asked this question for last eight odd months. Don't think both can answer that question aptly. But we are similar people in that we want to do the job (for our team). We do not talk a lot in the middle. She is a good anchor, and really allows me to play my natural game. When she gets going, I can chip in with the anchor role. That really works. We understand when one person is going, we can just rotate strike.

Kundan Kumar: "Can you explain how India qualify for the semifinals today? If India loses to Bangladesh by a big margin and New Zealand wins by a big margin, wouldn't New Zealand qualify instead?" -- No, they will not. India, irrespective of what happens on Sunday, will have three wins. And NZ, even if they win on Sunday, will only get up to two wins. And number of wins takes precedence over NRR.

11:24pm A fairly comfortable win for India in the end. Their batters did the bulk of the heavy lifting before Gaud and Renuka dented the White Ferns' charge in the powerplay. Devine fell soon after the field restrictions were lifted and from that point, NZ were always playing catch-up, meaning that Halliday and Gaze's knocks, which were studded with boundaries and showed a lot of promise, acted as mere consolation.

A much better outing for India. And while this was not an entirely spotless display, their ploy to play five front-line bowlers paid off to an extent. Rawal also got through a few overs and that could yet be crucial moving forward, although for now, India will be content with having gotten the job done and having sewn up a semi-final berth.

43.6
W
Sharma to Mair, OUT, A semi-final spot beckons! A bare minimum at the start, a bit trickier through the middle, but India, like they would have wanted prior to a ball being bowled, are now within two games of winning the entire thing! And India have finished it in fitting fashion. Deepti dangles this full on middle and off. Mair winds up, trying to go downtown, but only picks out long on. A much-needed win for India, after everything that had preceded this game, and a victory that has ensured they are now in the semi-final of a tournament they were expected to dominate in!

RA Mair c Mandhana b Sharma 1 (3m 3b 0x4 0x6) SR: 33.33

43.5
0
Sharma to Mair, no run, missed stumping chance! Fired in full just outside leg. Mair advances and tries to go inside out. Misses it completely and gets saved by Chetry fumbling
43.4
1
Sharma to Gaze, 1 run, looped up on middle and off. Gaze yorks herself by advancing and squeezes it out behind square
43.3
2
Sharma to Gaze, 2 runs, fullish just outside off. Gaze gets her front foot out of the way and drags it towards deep mid wicket. The throw is a little erratic and Gaze can make it back for the second. Would have struggled with a better throw
43.2
1
Sharma to Mair, 1 run, full on off. Mair skips down the track and drills it towards long off

Mair on strike now

43.1
1
Sharma to Gaze, 1 run, tossed up on a length on leg stump. Gaze advances and chips it towards long on

Deepti to bowl the last over of this contest

END OF OVER:
43 | 5 Runs 1 Wkt | NZ-W: 266/7 (59 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 6.18, RRR: 59.00)

  • Isabella Gaze61 (48b)
  • Kranti Gaud9-0-48-2
  • Deepti Sharma7-0-52-0
42.6
W
Gaud to JM Kerr, OUT, well taken at backward point, and Gaud has another! Back of a length outside off and Kerr thinks this is her opportunity to smuggle another boundary. She gives it the entire lot but fails to keep it down. Arrows it flat towards Mandhana, who moves sharply to her right and then completes the catch at around shoulder height. India nudging closer to victory and to a semi final spot!

JM Kerr c Mandhana b Gaud 18 (14m 13b 0x4 2x6) SR: 138.46

42.5
1
Gaud to Gaze, 1 run, length outside off. Gaze hares down the track and chalks it off the toe-end towards long on
42.4
0
Gaud to Gaze, no run, very full outside off. Gaze throws her hands at it and flays it towards cover point
42.3
4
Gaud to Gaze, FOUR, smart batting! Full outside off. Gaze knows that line is coming and shuffles across early. Gets down low too and laps it over short fine leg!
42.2
0
Gaud to Gaze, no run, short and way outside off. Gaze has to stretch every sinew in trying to reach it and still misses. Not called a wide, much to the batter's surprise
42.1
0
Gaud to Gaze, no run, back of a length just outside off. Gaze takes a step towards the ball before jabbing it towards cover point

Gaud to bowl the penultimate over of this game

END OF OVER:
42 | 9 Runs | NZ-W: 261/6 (64 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 6.21, RRR: 32.00)

  • Isabella Gaze56 (43b)
  • Jess Kerr18 (12b)
  • Deepti Sharma7-0-52-0
  • Shree Charani9-0-58-1
41.6
1
Sharma to Gaze, 1 run, fullish outside off. Gaze shimmies down the track and drills it to long off
41.5
1
Sharma to JM Kerr, 1 run, speared into the blockhole just outside leg. Kerr continues swinging and this time, squirts it off the inside edge towards short fine leg
41.4
6
Sharma to JM Kerr, SIX, goes all the way this time! Deepti loops it up outside off and Kerr is down the track in a flash. Has to reach out in front a little but the connection is pure enough to take it well over long on!