India will aim to get their campaign back on track when they take on New Zealand at the DY Patil Stadium on Thursday. The hosts have now suffered three straight defeats in the Women’s World Cup 2025 but remain in contention for a semis spot. A win in Navi Mumbai will ease those blues, with Harmanpreet Kaur and Co aiming to fix the chinks in their armour.
IND-W vs NZ-W: Can India end their winless streak?
India’s home World Cup campaign has been disastrous to say the least. The Women in Blue picked up scratchy wins over Sri Lanka and Pakistan but have lost three straight since. All losses have been rather close games, with questions raised on the team’s mentality and skill.
India started the tournament among favourites but now fight to reach the semi-final. While it hasn’t quite reached do or die state, they face their competitions New Zealand. A win over the Black Ferns all but eases their road to qualification, but that is easier said than done.
New Zealand have had their share of misfortune with two games washed out with no result. Should they lose, Sophie Devine and Co will be reliant on other fixtures to make it through. Thus it makes the IND-W vs NZ-W clash a virtual knockout.
Pitch and weather report
There has been some unseasonal rain in last two days but it is not expected to play a major part on Thursday. Navi Mumbai is expected to receive some evening showers, meaning a DLS score can be expected. Batting conditions are sublime at the DY Patil Stadium and a high scoring clash is likely.
Predicted Playing XIs
IND-W: Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Amanjot Kaur, Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani
NZ-W: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Sophie Devine, Amelia Kerr, Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson.
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