Harmanpreet Kaur's India will be tested hard as they prepare to play the second semi-final of the Women's World Cup 2025 against Australia on Thursday, October 30, at the Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. With a win against South Africa in their last group stage match at the Holkar Stadium in Indore, Australia sealed the semi-final lineup.
Australia top the group, India enters as underdogs
In their last group match, South Africa were dismissed for a very low total of 97 runs, leaving Australia with a very comfortable chase. So Australia lost only three wickets in their chase and had 199 balls left to play the match. With this win, Australia secured the top spot in the group with 13 points from seven matches and will face India in the semi-finals. The semi-final opponent for Australia in the second match of the semis will be decided by the result of the group stage between England and New Zealand on Sunday.
India secured a place in the semi-finals with a solid victory over New Zealand earlier this week. Still, the hosts have been up and down in the tournament. After starting well with wins over Sri Lanka and Pakistan, India lost their next three matches against South Africa, Australia, and England and thus faced a do-or-die match against the White Ferns. Their response was sugar-perfect as both Smriti Mandhana and Pritika Rawal scored centuries in Navi Mumbai leading India to score over 300 runs and get a victory in the rain-shortened match played by the DLS method.
Although their performances have been up and down, India will be cheered by the home supporters when they play against Australia and try to get into the first-ever Women’s World Cup final in India at home. India will be the last team to play in the group stage when they take on Bangladesh on Sunday.
