The twenty-fourth clash of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 promises an enthralling encounter as India Women lock horns with New Zealand Women on October 23rd at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai. The action begins at 3:00 PM (IST) and is set to deliver a gripping contest between two evenly matched sides determined to strengthen their semifinal ambitions.
India enters this fixture seeking to rediscover their winning rhythm after a series of narrow defeats. The hosts began their campaign in style with a 59-run (DLS) victory over Sri Lanka, followed by a commanding 88-run win against Pakistan. However, their campaign stuttered in subsequent outings — suffering close losses against South Africa (by 3 wickets), Australia (by 3 wickets), and most recently England (by 4 runs). Despite those setbacks, India’s blend of youth and experience continues to make them a formidable force at home.
New Zealand, on the other hand, have displayed commendable resilience after a fluctuating start. Against Australia, they had the defending champions in early trouble at 128/5 before a late counterattack denied them. Their next fixture against South Africa was another close contest, falling short while defending 232. However, the White Ferns roared back to form with a commanding 100-run victory over Bangladesh, reviving their campaign in emphatic fashion. Unfortunately, rain interruptions in their fixtures against Sri Lanka and Pakistan hindered their momentum, leaving this game as a crucial opportunity to solidify their standing.
Squads:
India Women’s Cricket Team
Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Richa Ghosh (WK), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Pooja Vastrakar, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Renuka Singh Thakur, Titas Sadhu, Amanjot Kaur, Meghna Singh, Devika Vaidya, Harleen Deol
New Zealand Women’s Cricket Team
Sophie Devine (C), Amelia Kerr, Suzie Bates, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Georgia Plimmer, Lea Tahuhu, Jess Kerr, Fran Jonas, Hannah Rowe, Izzy Gaze (WK), Eden Carson, Molly Penfold, Lauren Down, Bernadine Bezuidenhout (WK)
Players to watch out:
Harmanpreet Kaur
The Indian captain’s leadership and middle-order stability remain vital. Though her recent scores of 21, 19, 9, 22, and 70 reflect inconsistency, her ability to rise in crunch games keeps her indispensable. Across 157 ODIs, Kaur has amassed 4,290 runs (HS 171*) and claimed 31 wickets, making her a proven match-winner capable of turning the tide for India.
Deepti Sharma
India’s ever reliable allrounder continues to deliver with both bat and ball. Her recent scores (53, 25, 4, 1, 50) and bowling returns (3/54, 3/45, 1/54, 2/52, 4/51) underline her consistency. With 117 ODIs, 2,657 runs (HS 188), and 153 wickets (BB 6/20), Deepti remains India’s backbone in all departments.
Amelia Kerr
A world-class allrounder, Kerr’s versatility with both bat and ball keeps her central to the White Ferns’ success. Her tournament figures — 33, 23, 1 with the bat and 2/54, 2/62, 1/23, 0/40, 1/21 with the ball — showcase her steady influence. Across 82 ODIs, she owns 2,224 runs (HS 232*) and 105 wickets (BB 5/17), underlining her elite status in modern cricket.
Lea Tahuhu
The experienced seamer’s ability to exploit early movement makes her New Zealand’s pace spearhead. Her spells of 3/42 vs Australia, 1/27 vs South Africa, 3/22 vs Bangladesh, and 2/20 vs Pakistan highlight her consistency. With 124 wickets in 101 ODIs (BB 5/37), Tahuhu’s early breakthroughs could shape the game’s direction.
Pitch:
The surface at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy traditionally provides a balanced contest between bat and ball. Early on, seamers may find some swing and bounce, while batters enjoy true carry and pace to play their strokes. As the match progresses, the pitch tends to slow slightly, allowing spinners to come into play. A first-innings total in the range of 250–270 is expected to be highly competitive on this track.
Weather:
Navi Mumbai is expected to witness partly cloudy and humid conditions throughout the day, with temperatures around 35°C. There’s a 50% chance of rain, but a full game is anticipated. Humidity levels may touch 61% by evening, while gentle 8 kph winds could provide slight movement early on for seamers. Spinners may find better grip as the surface wears down later in the innings.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Richa Ghosh, Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, N Sree Charani, Sophie Devine, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Lea Tahuhu, Jess Kerr, Brooke Halliday
Match Details:
Date – October 23, 2025
Time – 3:00 PM IST
Venue – Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai
Broadcast – Live streaming on JioCinema; Telecast on Star Sports Network
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