Indian eves in semis

Derby: Rajeshwari Gayakwad took a five-wicket haul to take India into the semi-finals of the ICC Women's World Cup with a 186-run win over New Zealand here on Saturday.

With figures of 5 for 15 she bested Ekta Bisht’s figures (5/18) during the group match against Pakistan in the competition.
Earlier, captain Mithali Raj led from the front with a magnificent century as India recovered from an early wobble to set a challenging total of 265 for 7 against New Zealand in their final league match of the ICC Women's World Cup in Derby, UK, on Saturday.

Sent into bat, India were reduced to 21 for 2 in the eighth over but a 132-run stand between Mithali (109) and Harmanpreet Kaur (60) for the third wicket brought them back into the match.

Then, a brilliant quick-fire 70 off just 45 balls by Veda Krishnamurthy took India past 260. Krishnamurthy enlivened the contest with some big shots, scoring above run-a-ball. Her 70 had seven fours and two sixes.

But, the highlight of the virtual knock-out match was Mithali's sixth ton in her 184th match and her 109 came from 123 balls and had 11 fours in it. Mithali, who in the earlier match against Australia became the highest run-getter in ODIs and first batswoman to reach 6000 runs, continued with her purple patch in the tournament.

She has already hit three half centuries and a 46 not out, besides today's ton, from the seven matches she has played so far.
Coming in the eighth over at the team score of 21-2 at the fall of opener Smriti Mandhana (13), Mithali anchored the Indian innings magnificently.

She first steadied the Indian innings with Harmanpreet after the initial loss of two wickets and then took her side to an advantageous position before being dismissed in the final over. She found an able ally in Harmanpreet, who made a crucial contribution despite her slow batting. Harmanpreet consumed 90 balls for her 60 and hit seven fours.