How These Batters Can Change the Game in IND-W vs NZ-W, 24th Match | ICC Women’s World Cup 2025

In the world of women’s cricket, margins are frequently measured in moments of brilliance rather than runs. Smriti Mandhana, the Indian opener, has scored more than 5100 WODI runs at an astonishing average of 47.75, including 13 hundreds and 34 fifties. Sophie Devine and Maddy Green, on the other hand, in New Zealand’s run engines, have run up more than 6000 WODI runs between them. The irony? With such power of the gun, both sides have cracked up in the closest only to produce a tournament where upsets were told. With the 24th match to provide the momentum for the semi-finals, the question is not so much who bats well as who can make a difference.

Mandhana’s Art of Pressure Release

Smriti Mandhana is more than just a scorer. She runs the show for her team. A strike rate of 90.04 after playing 5,675 deliveries clearly shows that Mandhana has been able to be both aggressive and precise at the same time. With India’s aggressive batting style, if Mandhana can continue to turn the ball when she plays defensively against New Zealand’s strong and disciplined seam attack, this will allow her to cut down the amount of pressure on herself as well as create opportunities for her teammates to take advantage of any errors made by the bowler. Mandhana has shown that she has the temperament needed to take tentative starts and convert them into momentum-building innings.

Devine: The X-Factor Catalyst

Sophie Devine is New Zealand’s ace batswoman and captain. While her batting average of 32.94 may be lower than that of Smriti Mandhana, the difference is also in how each player uses their skills. Sophie has an extremely high strike rate (85.18), which shows she can be aggressive at times. In particular, Sophie excels in transition, where she often turns teams from being in trouble to having a reasonable total to defend. If Sophie gets going quickly against India’s bowlers, she will have the opportunity to take control of the game by putting pressure on the bowlers, making mistakes from the fielders, and disrupting India’s bowling plan. 

Green’s Quiet Consistency

Although Maddy Green does not receive as much media attention on each of her shots, her .2745 batting average over 75 innings indicates that she has been an anchor to the New Zealand team’s middle order. The 73.17 strike rate is also more aggressive than one would expect from a player who is typically responsible for absorbing pressure and establishing partnerships with her teammates. With India being able to take advantage of early wickets, Maddy Green will be able to assist in building a partnership with Suzie & Devine and provide balance between aggressiveness and stability, which are both aspects of what a traditional stabilizer brings to the table.

Verdict: Who Holds the Key?

This match will boil down to three factors: Mandhana’s propensity to capitalize on the early advantage, the game-changing ability of Devine in the middle overs, and Green’s ability to bat under pressure. This match is likely to be a contest between skill and ingenuity, and the player who times her best performance well will determine the outcome. 

Key Takeaway: 

Momentum in women’s cricket is a function of precision, temperament, and daring. Mandhana, Devine, and Green embody all three.

FAQs

1: What makes Mandhana a game-changer?

Her combination of elegance, strike rotation, and aggressive shot-making unsettles disciplined bowling attacks.

2: Why is Devine considered the X-factor?

She can accelerate scoring under pressure, turning middling positions into match-winning situations.

3: How does Green contribute quietly yet effectively?

Her measured innings stabilize partnerships and prevent collapses, complementing more aggressive batters.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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