India’s hopes of advancing to the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 have been significantly dampened following a narrow four-run loss to England in Indore on October 19.
This defeat marks India’s third consecutive loss in the tournament, placing them in a precarious position as they approach the final stages of the group phase.
England, opting to bat first, posted a challenging total of 288/8, with captain Heather Knight leading the charge by scoring 109 runs in her 300th international appearance. Amy Jones contributed a valuable 56 runs, anchoring the innings after a mid-innings collapse. India’s Deepti Sharma was the standout bowler, claiming 4 wickets for 51 runs, while Shree Charani supported with 2 wickets for 68 runs.
In response, India began their chase confidently, with Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur forming a formidable partnership. Mandhana scored 88 runs, and Kaur added 70, bringing India to a strong position with 56 runs needed from 54 balls and seven wickets in hand.
However, England’s bowlers, particularly Linsey Smith, who conceded just four runs in the 48th over and defended 14 runs in the final over, tightened the screws. India’s late-order collapse, including the dismissals of Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma, saw them fall short, ending at 284/6. England’s disciplined bowling and fielding under pressure secured their victory and a spot in the semi-finals.
This defeat has left India with four points from five matches, having secured victories over Sri Lanka and Pakistan but losing to South Africa, Australia, and England. With Australia, South Africa, and England already clinching semi-final berths, the remaining spot is now a contest between India and New Zealand.
Both teams have four points, but India’s superior net run rate (+0.526) places them in a slightly better position than New Zealand (-0.245).
India’s path to the semi-finals is straightforward yet challenging. A victory over New Zealand on October 23 in Navi Mumbai would keep their hopes alive. However, a loss would necessitate a significant win over Bangladesh on October 26 and reliance on other results, including an England victory over New Zealand, to advance.
The team’s recent performances have been marked by strong starts followed by untimely collapses, raising concerns about their ability to finish matches under pressure. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed her disappointment, acknowledging the team’s repeated inability to close out games despite being in commanding positions. The upcoming matches against New Zealand and Bangladesh are now effectively knockout games for India, with no room for further slip-ups if they are to progress to the semi-finals.
As the tournament progresses, India’s focus will be on addressing their late-game vulnerabilities and maintaining composure in high-pressure situations. The outcome of their next two matches will determine whether they can turn their campaign around and keep their semi-final aspirations intact.
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