Women’s World Cup 2025: India face mighty Australia in the semi-final — here’s what their winning game plan should look like.
Since the start of 2022, India have managed to beat Australia only once in 11 Women’s ODIs. Their most recent encounter came during the group stage of the ongoing Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in Visakhapatnam, where captain Alyssa Healy’s masterful 142 anchored Australia’s comfortable chase of 331, sealing victory by seven wickets.
Amid all the challenges facing world cricket, one enduring question remains — how does one beat the Australian Women’s team in ODIs? The numbers themselves tell a daunting story. Since 2022, Australia have played 49 ODIs, winning 44 of them. Stretching the timeline further back only makes the record more intimidating — since the start of the 2017 Women’s World Cup, they’ve featured in 87 ODIs, winning 78, with a staggering win-loss ratio of 9.75. This period also includes their world-record streak of 26 consecutive ODI victories.
Beating Australia, therefore, is almost akin to laying one hand on the trophy. India now face that formidable challenge in the second semifinal. The equation is simple — win and march into the final, or lose and bow out. But how can India script the miracle? Here are a few possible pathways.
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India need their top six to fire against Australia
India’s opening pair, Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal, have been the standout performers of the Women’s World Cup 2025, currently occupying the top two spots on the run charts. Mandhana has amassed 365 runs in seven innings at an average of 60.83 and a strike rate of 102.52, including two fifties and a century. Her record against Australia further highlights her importance — since January 2021, she has scored 699 runs in 13 ODIs against them, making her a crucial figure for India in the semifinal.
However, India will miss the services of Pratika Rawal, who accumulated 308 runs in the tournament before being ruled out due to injury. Shafali Verma has been drafted into the squad as her replacement, and if she opens the innings, the management should give her the freedom to attack during the powerplay and set the tone early.
The bigger concern lies in the middle order. India’s third-highest run-getter, Richa Ghosh, sits only 18th overall in the tournament with 175 runs in six innings at a healthy strike rate of 128.67. For India to challenge Australia’s potent bowling attack, their top six will need to fire collectively.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur has endured a lean run, managing just 151 runs in six innings, but her unforgettable 171* against Australia in the 2017 World Cup semifinal remains a reminder of her ability to rise to big occasions. India will be hoping for another such knock from their leader.
At No. 3, Harleen Deol has made valuable contributions with 169 runs in five innings, while Jemimah Rodrigues — with 151 runs so far — will need to sustain her aggression through the middle overs.
Their league-stage clash against Australia offered a clear lesson: India cannot afford to let opportunities slip. At 294/4 in the 43rd over, they were on course for 350 but lost their last six wickets for just 36 runs. Such lapses could prove costly again — the hosts must maintain their momentum right through to the finish in the semifinal.
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India need to be crystal clear about their six bowling options
India’s spinners have been phenomenal throughout the Women’s World Cup 2025. Deepti Sharma currently stands as the joint-leading wicket-taker, claiming 15 wickets in seven innings at an average of 22.46 and an economy rate of 5.43. She also enjoys an impressive record against Tahlia McGrath, having dismissed her three times in WODIs — a matchup that could once again prove decisive in the semifinal.
N. Shree Charani has also been instrumental, sitting sixth on the list with 11 wickets in seven innings and an economy rate below five. Just a few weeks ago, Pakistan’s left-arm duo Nashra Sandhu and Sadia Iqbal had Australia reeling at 76/7, a reminder of the Aussies’ vulnerability against quality left-arm spin. Charani’s role, therefore, will be vital in controlling the middle overs and applying pressure.
Sneh Rana, who has taken seven wickets so far, could also return to the XI for the semifinal. However, the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai isn’t known for being spin-friendly, posing a selection dilemma — should India go with three pacers or three spinners? One thing seems certain: Kranti Gaud is expected to return to the lineup, though whose place she takes remains to be seen. The bottom line is clear — India will need six bowling options to challenge Australia’s deep batting order.
Gaud’s inclusion could be crucial, especially given her past success against Alyssa Healy, whom she dismissed three times in their recent bilateral series. Early movement with the new ball will be key to unsettling both openers — Healy and Phoebe Litchfield.
The semifinal clash between the two heavyweights is scheduled for October 30 at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy. For India, success will hinge on maintaining intensity and composure from start to finish — there can be no lapses.
However, the weather forecast adds another layer of uncertainty, with a 70% chance of rain predicted on match day. That’s far from ideal for the hosts, as Australia, being the higher-ranked side, will advance to the final if play remains impossible even after the scheduled reserve day.
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