In a crucial encounter at the ICC Women's World Cup 2025, New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl first against India at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. This match is a virtual quarter-final for both teams, with the winner moving closer to a coveted semi-final spot.
India, coming off three consecutive defeats, made a significant change to their lineup, bringing in Jemimah Rodrigues in place of Amanjot Kaur. This decision reflects the team's need to bolster their batting unit and put up a defendable total.
New Zealand, also with four points from five matches, aims to capitalize on the familiar conditions and the potential for dew later in the evening. Captain Sophie Devine expressed her belief that the pitch will improve under the lights, influencing her decision to bowl first. She also acknowledged the high-pressure situation, recognizing the match as the kind "every cricketer dreams of".
At the toss, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur acknowledged the good opportunity ahead for her team. She highlighted the inclusion of an extra batter, signaling a focus on establishing a strong score. Kaur also pointed out the team's starts that they need to convert into bigger scores.
Playing XIs:
- India: Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur, Jemimah Rodrigues.
- New Zealand: Suzie Bates, Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (c), Isabella Gaze (wk), Lea Tahuhu, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Eden Carson.
Match Overview
India's campaign hangs in the balance after a series of narrow losses to South Africa, Australia, and England. A win against New Zealand is crucial for their semi-final hopes. New Zealand's journey has been hampered by two washouts in Colombo, adding pressure to secure a win in this pivotal match.
As the game commenced, India's opening pair, Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana, aimed to provide a solid start. At the 11-over mark, they had built a 50-run partnership. Rawal reached 1000 ODI runs in just 23 innings. However, India has been struggling with an inconsistent top order, which they need to fix in order to win.
The match is being played at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.
With both teams desperate for a win, the India vs New Zealand clash promises to be a thrilling encounter. The result will significantly impact the semi-final lineup of the ICC Women's World Cup 2025.
Broadcast Details: The match is scheduled to start at 3:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) and will be broadcasted live on the Star Sports Network's TV channels in India. Live streaming will also be available on the JioHotstar app and website.
