It is yellow vs blue again. Serial winners against perennial underachievers. Unstoppable force meets a shaky yet unpredictable object. In the women’s game, no contest raises the level of excitement among fans like Australia versus India does.
This only multiplies when it is a knockout game, as would be the case on Thursday when both teams face off in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup semifinal at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
It wouldn’t be Australia if they didn’t march their way into the semifinal. They arrive after thumping South Africa by seven wickets in their last league phase fixture. Therein lies India’s glimmer of hope – that Australia may have already played their best match in this World Cup so far.
Harmanpreet Kaur and her side got their act together to see off New Zealand and ensure they give themselves another shot at ending the trophy drought. There are no points at stake. No qualification scenarios to lose sleep over. You either stay or go home after Thursday.
Shafali, Amanjot alternate in batting stint
After an intense session on Tuesday evening, India had a lighter hit at the nets on Wednesday with fewer players in attendance. A forced change for India on Thursday will be at the top over who will open with Smriti Mandhana.
In Wednesday’s training session, Shafali Verma – drafted in as Pratika Rawal’s replacement – and Amanjot Kaur – who opened against Bangladesh – were seen paired up in the batting stint. The former, who started batting at 2:15 p.m., was again seen playing a lot more along the ground as compared to going over the top. It remains to be seen if India play either or both players on Thursday.
Later, Verma said that linking up with the squad after playing domestic cricket and having the experience of playing knockout matches before will help her if she gets to play on Thursday.
Story continues below this ad
“I was playing domestic cricket and was in good touch. Now you’re talking about the semifinals – it’s not something new for me because I’ve played many semifinals before. It’s just a matter of keeping my mind clear and giving myself confidence. I’ve been in such situations earlier, so it’s nothing new. I’ll keep telling myself to stay calm and believe in myself. So absolutely, I’ll do well – 200%,” she said at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday.
In the other net, Jemimah Rodrigues and Arundhati Reddy alternated their batting stints. Harleen Deol was seen practicing with multi-coloured practice balls outside the nets. Whether she keeps her place in the playing XI for Thursday’s clash remains to be seen.
India could be bolstered by the return of Richa Ghosh, who did not train on Wednesday but went through her keeping and batting drills on Tuesday. Former England cricketer Tash Farrant felt that Ghosh’s unpredictability as a batter made a key player for the knockout clash.
“The unpredictability of her being at number seven and she’s floated around in that middle order. I think she can change a game, the way that she goes about it. If she can get a really quick 50 or something like she has in the tournament. She got that 90-odd earlier in the tournament. I think she’s the key,” she told Sky Sports.
Story continues below this ad
Dominant Australia start favourites
There is no doubt that Australia start favourites for Thursday’s clash. The Alyssa Healy-led side have been the form team in the tournament, having not lost a game in the lead up to the semifinal. While Healy missed the last two matches, she did keep wickets in training on Tuesday to indicate that she would return on Thursday.
No team knows how to turn up and perform on the big night as Australia do. Outside of Healy, all rounder Ashleigh Gardener and Annabel Sutherland have had outstanding World Cups with bat and ball. Leg spinner Alana King would also be coming in with the utmost confidence, having taken figures of 7/18 in the previous match against South Africa at Indore.
Unlike the matches against New Zealand and Bangladesh, Thursday’s match is unlikely to be affected by inclement weather. As per the Accuweather website, it is expected to be sunny in the afternoon, before turning cloudy later in the evening. There is a reserve day for the semifinal, in case no result is possible on the scheduled day.
The pitch for Thursday’s clash is the same that was used for the Sri Lanka versus Bangladesh match 10 days ago. While that game turned out to be a low-scoring thriller, one can expect a bigger score from the side batting first on Thursday, with the surface devoid of any grass.
Story continues below this ad
When the World Cup began a month ago, reaching the semis would have the bare minimum expectation of India from their fans. They have made it to the final-four, but are yet to produce their best game.
The opportunity presents itself on Thursday to do just that. It is time for Harmanpreet Kaur and her team to deliver.
