As the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 heads toward its thrilling conclusion, all attention now shifts to the second semi-final — India vs. Australia — to be played on Thursday at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. For Team India, this match is nothing short of a final. Facing seven-time world champions Australia, India will need a near-perfect performance in every department to secure a place in the grand finale, where South Africa has already booked its spot after defeating England.

A Battle of Grit and Glory

This encounter is more than just a semi-final; it’s a test of composure, resilience, and redemption. India, the host nation, has a golden opportunity to defeat the tournament’s most dominant side and move one step closer to their long-awaited ICC title. The challenge, however, is enormous — Australia’s consistency and championship pedigree make them one of the toughest opponents in women’s cricket.

For India, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur holds the key. The nation still remembers her iconic knock of 171 not out off 115 balls against Australia in the 2017 World Cup semi-final — a historic innings that not only changed the face of women’s cricket in India but also earned global acclaim. As India prepares for another high-stakes battle, the team will be hoping for a repeat of that magical performance.

India’s Road So Far

India’s journey in this World Cup has been a rollercoaster. After two early wins, the team suffered three consecutive defeats, raising doubts about qualification. However, strong comebacks in the later stages helped the squad secure a semi-final berth. Despite flashes of brilliance, inconsistency remains a concern, especially when facing a side as balanced as Australia.

Adding to the challenge, India suffered a setback when opener Pratika Rawal was ruled out of the tournament due to injury. Her absence leaves a gap at the top order, forcing the team management to rethink its batting combination.

Opening Dilemma: Shafali or Harleen?

The biggest question before the semi-final revolves around India’s opening pair. Should the team recall Shafali Verma, known for her explosive batting but patchy form, or continue with Harleen Deol, who offers more stability and can also contribute as a sixth bowler?

While Shafali’s partnership record with Smriti Mandhana (average of 37.20 across 25 innings) trails behind the Mandhana–Rawal duo (average of 78.21 across 23 innings), her aggressive intent could provide India with a much-needed early edge. On the other hand, Harleen’s steady approach (169 runs in 7 matches at an average of 75.11) could ensure a strong start and keep India grounded in the powerplay overs.

Weather, Pitch, and Pressure

The DY Patil pitch is expected to favor batters despite forecasts of intermittent rain. A high-scoring game could make chasing difficult, so winning the toss and batting first might be an advantage.

Ultimately, this contest will come down to which side handles pressure better. Both teams have the firepower, but composure under crunch moments will determine who advances to the final. For India, unity, discipline, and the captain’s inspiration could make all the difference.

Squads

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Uma Chhetri (WK), Richa Ghosh (WK), Harleen Deol, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Amanjot Kaur, Sneh Rana, Deepti Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Shri Charani, Radha Yadav.

Australia: Alyssa Healy (C & WK), Tahlia McGrath (VC), Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney (WK), Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Alana King, Sophie Molineux, Annabel Sutherland, Darcie Brown, Megan Schutt, Georgia Wareham.