After a dismaying sequence of defeats mid-tournament, India hit top form to beat New Zealand on Thursday night at Navi Mumbai's DY Patil Stadium and secure a place in the semi-final of the ICC Women's ODI World Cup.
In virtually a do-or-die match for both teams, India broke free of the mediocrity and apprehensions that had seen them lose three matches on the trot, raising several questions about the technical aspects and mental resolve under pressure of the players.
Thriving on a scintillating 212 runs opening partnership between vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and rising star Pratika Agarwal, supported by an ebullient unbeaten half century by Jemimah Rodrigues, India posted a record score of 340-3.
New Zealand's target was revised to 325 by the Duckworth Lewis method after rain lopped off some playing time. But their top order could not find the momentum to take on this challenge in the face of some fine bowling, leaving too much for the middle and lower order batters to achieve.
In the event, India won by a comfortable margin of 53 runs in front of more than 25,166 spectators, the highest-ever group stage attendance at a women's ICC tournament.
