The second semi-final of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 promises a blockbuster showdown as India Women square off against Australia Women on October 30th at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai. The contest begins at 3:00 PM IST and is expected to serve up a thrilling battle between two world-class units, each determined to book their berth in the grand finale.
India head into this crucial encounter looking to regain their early-tournament momentum after enduring a series of narrow defeats. The hosts began their campaign in dominant fashion with a 59-run (DLS) victory over Sri Lanka, followed by a commanding 88-run win against Pakistan.
However, the tide turned as they suffered tight losses — against South Africa (by 3 wickets), Australia (by 3 wickets), and England (by 4 runs). Despite these setbacks, India’s balance of youthful energy and seasoned experience makes them a formidable force, especially on home soil. Their most recent fixture against Bangladesh ended in a no result, leaving their semifinal preparation slightly disrupted but their intent undiminished.
Australia comes into this clash riding a wave of confidence and momentum. Their campaign has been nothing short of dominant — beginning with an emphatic 89-run win over New Zealand after amassing 328 runs. A brief rain-hit outing against Sri Lanka did little to derail their rhythm, as they showcased remarkable resilience versus Pakistan, recovering from 115/8 through a stunning Mooney–King stand before skittling Pakistan out for 114.
Their defining performance came against India, where they chased a mammoth 331-run target with an over to spare, underlining their unmatched composure. The winning streak extended further — a 10-wicket demolition of Bangladesh, a 6-wicket win over England, and a 7-wicket victory over South Africa after bundling them for 97 — showcasing Australia’s all-round dominance.
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
Australia Women’s Cricket Team
Alyssa Healy (C), Darcie Brown, Ash Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham
Players to watch out:
Harmanpreet Kaur
The Indian skipper’s composure and experience remain central to India’s ambitions. While her recent scores — 21 (vs Sri Lanka), 19 (vs Pakistan), 9 (vs South Africa), 22 (vs Australia), 70 (vs England), and 10 (vs New Zealand) — hint at inconsistency, her track record in clutch moments speaks otherwise. Across 159 ODIs, she has amassed 4,300 runs (HS 171*) and taken 31 wickets, underlining her stature as one of the game’s premier all-round leaders.
N Sree Charani
At just 21, Charani has impressed with her discipline and control. Her economical and incisive spells through the tournament — 2/37 vs Sri Lanka, 0/26 vs Pakistan, 1/37 vs South Africa, 3/41 vs Australia, 2/68 vs England, 1/58 vs New Zealand, and 2/23 vs Bangladesh — have established her as a promising new-ball bowler. With 20 wickets in 16 ODIs (best: 3/41), she could be India’s X-factor in this high-pressure contest.
Beth Mooney
One of Australia’s most dependable performers, Mooney thrives in high-pressure scenarios. Her 109 vs Pakistan was a rescue act for the ages, followed by scores of 4 (vs India), 20 (vs England), and 42 (vs South Africa). With 2,973 runs in 91 ODIs and a career-best of 138, her calm demeanor and ability to anchor innings make her indispensable at the top of the order.
Alana King
A match-winner in every sense, the 29-year-old leg-spinner has evolved into one of Australia’s most trusted game-changers. Her recent figures — 2/44 vs New Zealand, 1/19 vs Pakistan, 0/49 vs India, 2/18 vs Bangladesh, 1/20 vs England, and a career-best 7/18 vs South Africa — speak volumes of her consistency and control. With the bat, her unbeaten 51 vs Pakistan from a crisis further highlighted her composure. With 72 wickets in 46 ODIs, King’s variations could prove pivotal on the Navi Mumbai surface.
Pitch:
The track at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy traditionally offers a fine balance between bat and ball. Early on, seamers can extract movement and bounce, while batters benefit from the surface’s true pace and carry. As the innings progress, the pitch tends to slow slightly, allowing spinners to exploit the grip and variation. A first-innings total in the range of 250–270 is expected to be highly competitive.
Weather:
Navi Mumbai is likely to experience humid and partly cloudy conditions on match day, with temperatures hovering around 31°C. There’s a 20% chance of rain, though a full game is expected. Humidity levels may touch 71% by evening, while gentle 21 kph winds could assist early swing for pacers. As the surface wears down, spinners are likely to find better purchase.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Richa Ghosh, Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, N Sree Charani, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Alana King, Beth Mooney, Phoebe Litchfield
Match Details:
Date – October 30, 2025
Time – 3:00 PM IST
Venue – Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai
Broadcast – Live on Star Sports Network; Streaming on JioHotstar
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