India face a daunting challenge as they take on defending champions Australia in the semi-final of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Thursday.
Australia, unbeaten in the tournament, are eyeing a record-extending eighth world title, while India will aim to capitalize on home conditions to reach their first-ever World Cup crown.
The two teams previously met in the group stage, where top-ranked Australia pulled off a record chase to beat India by three wickets in Visakhapatnam. Alyssa Healy’s brilliant century was key to that win, but her availability for the semi-final remains uncertain due to a calf injury that has kept her out of the last two games.
Despite her absence, Healy remains Australia’s leading run-scorer with 294 runs in four innings, followed closely by Beth Mooney and Ashleigh Gardner, both in excellent form.
India, on the other hand, have been hit by injuries. Opener Pratika Rawal has been ruled out after sustaining an ankle injury against Bangladesh last week. Rawal, India’s second-highest scorer behind Smriti Mandhana, has been replaced by Shafali Verma. Wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh is also doubtful with a finger injury.
For India, all-rounder Deepti Sharma has been exceptional with the ball, sharing the tournament’s top wicket-taker spot with Australia’s Annabel Sutherland—both with 15 wickets. Leg-spinner Alana King has also been crucial for the Aussies, taking 13 wickets so far.
Head-to-Head Record
Australia dominate the ODI rivalry, winning 49 of the 60 matches played, while India have just 11 victories. In World Cup encounters, Australia lead 10–4, including their victory in the 2005 final.
India’s most famous win came in the 2017 Derby semi-final, when Harmanpreet Kaur’s unbeaten 171 inspired a stunning 36-run triumph—one of the sport’s most iconic upsets.
This will be the third World Cup semi-final meeting between the sides. Australia won the first in Delhi in 1997.
Weather and Match Conditions
According to AccuWeather, Navi Mumbai faces a 25% chance of rain and a 3% chance of thunderstorms on Thursday. The semi-final can be extended by up to two hours beyond its scheduled close, with a reserve day set for Friday.
For a result to count, both teams must bat at least 20 overs. If no result is possible even after the reserve day, Australia will progress to the final, having finished higher on the points table (first) compared to India (fourth).
Notably, India’s final group match against Bangladesh at the same venue was abandoned due to rain.
Squads
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Uma Chetry (wk), Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Richa Ghosh (wk), Kranti Gaud, Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Sree Charani, Shafali Verma, Sneh Rana.
Australia: Alyssa Healy (capt/wk), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux (wk), Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.
