Can India problem the Australian supremacy?

Australia has received seven of the 12 Women’s ODI World Cup editions thus far. The final time it misplaced a World Cup sport was eight years in the past — to India — when Harmanpreet Kaur produced her unforgettable blitz in Derby in July 2017. No marvel then that the 2025 version has typically been dubbed as a battle among the many relaxation for the runners-up spot.

India, buoyed by its robust lead-up to the event and the benefit of residence situations, entered this World Cup as the highest challenger to Australia’s dominance. However, an inconsistent league section has left the hosts going through the defending champions in Thursday’s semifinal as a substitute of in a dream ultimate.

Perhaps in a transfer aimed toward unsettling Australia, India has drafted in Shafali Verma as an harm alternative for the in-form Pratika Rawal, who harm her proper leg over the past league sport in opposition to Bangladesh. Shafali is predicted to open alongside Smriti Mandhana, reigniting one in every of India’s most explosive partnerships.

While followers might hope for one more Harmanpreet particular harking back to 2017, a lot will depend upon Smriti, the vice-captain, to anchor the innings in opposition to a bowling assault she has typically dominated prior to now.

Both sides endured transient harm considerations, however it’s understood that Richa Ghosh and Australia skipper Alyssa Healy have recovered and can be found for choice. Their return provides steadiness and expertise to each line-ups forward of what guarantees to be a high-stakes conflict.

With heavy rain forecast throughout the Mumbai Metropolitan Region over the following 48 hours, there stays a cloud of uncertainty over the climate. The cricket group will hope for clear skies and a packed DY Patil Stadium on Thursday — the right stage for India to problem the may of the staff to beat.