NEW DELHI: The India Women’s team is gearing up for a high-stakes semifinal clash against defending champions Australia in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 on Thursday. The contest is set to be a thrilling one, with India aiming to avenge their league-stage defeat where Australia chased down a record 331.
In that game, Smriti Mandhana had played a blistering knock of 80 off just 66 balls before throwing her wicket away while looking to accelerate.
Former India cricketer Anjum Chopra reflected on that dismissal, saying, “That 80 that Mandhana scored against Australia before she threw her wicket away, rather than anyone else picking up her wicket, she wouldn't want to make a mistake like that again.”
Chopra added that Mandhana is aware of the effort required to repeat such performances. “Having said that, she also realises that the hard work has to be done all over again,” she said.
With opening partner Pratika Rawal ruled out due to injury, Mandhana will shoulder extra responsibility at the top. Backing her to deliver once again, Chopra said, “I think she will also be waiting to step up because the manner in which she played in those three ODIs prior to the World Cup, she will also be wanting to just unleash all the good work and the hard work that she has put in to get to that position.”
Mandhana has been India’s standout performer in the tournament so far, finishing the league stage as the leading run-scorer with 365 runs in seven matches at an average of 52.14 and a strike rate of 102.81 — including four fifties and a highest score of 109.
