As India brace themselves for a must-win encounter against England in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 at Indore, former England captain Nasser Hussain has delivered a stirring message to Harmanpreet Kaur’s side urging them to embrace the pressure, play with belief, and seize their moment on home soil.
Speaking in the JioStar Press Room, Hussain reflected on India’s campaign so far, calling the match a great moment that could define their tournament. With two narrow defeats already behind them, he believes the hosts now stand at a critical juncture.
India started the tournament brightly but faltered in close finishes against New Zealand and South Africa, leaving them desperate for points to stay alive in the semi-final race. Hussain acknowledged their fine cricketing efforts but emphasized that in global tournaments, “every game now feels like a knockout.” He pointed out that India’s strength lies not just in their talent but in their ability to handle pressure moments.
For England, the competition has gone more smoothly. After a strong start and some fortunate breaks due to weather and reviews, Nat Sciver-Brunt’s side sit comfortably placed in the standings. Hussain, however, warned against complacency. He praised England’s bowling and fielding combination, led by Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, Linsey Smith, and Nat Sciver-Brunt, but noted a heavy batting reliance on Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight.
“To overcome India, the entire batting unit must contribute, not just one or two players. Everyone has to play their part in this big contest,” he stressed, recognizing the depth of the English setup but insisting that consistency will define the outcome.
Turning attention to India’s batting unit, Hussain was confident that the side possesses the firepower to bounce back. He applauded the form of Harleen Deol, while highlighting that evaluating strike rates must be situation based, comparing top-order players in the Powerplay to middle-order anchors has limited meaning.
He also backed Harmanpreet Kaur’s record of stepping up in big games and called Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma crucial to India’s approach. With depth down the order through all-rounders like Amanjot Kaur and Sneh Rana, Hussain believes India’s lineup mirrors the modern trend of multi-skilled players driving success.
There’s a lot India can learn from Australia’s balance, he remarked, pointing out how players like Annabel Sutherland and Ashleigh Gardner exemplify the dual role strength that turns matches. Yet, he insisted that India already has the tools it’s now about execution under pressure and belief in their ability to perform when it matters most.
Closing on an emotional note, Hussain reminded the Indian players to cherish the stage they’ve earned through years of dedication. “This is your chance to show the world what you’re capable of,” he said. “Embrace the moment and be ready to be there when it matters most.”
India will face England in Indore on October 19 at 3:00 PM IST in what promises to be one of the most defining matches of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.
(Quotes sourced from JioStar Press Room)
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