A familiar storm brews at DY Patil Stadium as India Women and Australia Women prepare to lock horns once again this time in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 semi-final.
It’s a rivalry steeped in intensity and history, where margins are razor-thin and moments often define legacies. Days before the high-stakes clash, India’s camp received both a blow and a boost Pratika Rawal, India’s in-form opener, was ruled out due to a knee and ankle injury, and in her place comes the explosive Shafali Verma, reinstated as India’s X-factor at the top. The ICC Event Technical Committee ratified the change late Tuesday, confirming that the 21-year-old will open alongside Smriti Mandhana in Thursday’s blockbuster semi-final.
The injury occurred in India’s final league-stage match against Bangladesh when Rawal twisted her ankle while saving a boundary. Her campaign ended abruptly, cutting short what had been a stellar tournament. Rawal exits with 308 runs in seven innings at an average of 51.33 and a strike rate of 77.78 India’s second-highest run-getter in the competition. Her 122 against New Zealand had formed the backbone of India’s batting confidence, alongside Mandhana. Her absence isn’t just about numbers; it removes a calm, stabilizing presence from India’s top order one that thrived under scoreboard pressure.
Shafali Verma: The X-Factor Returns
In Rawal’s place steps Shafali Verma, the bold, dynamic shot-maker once touted as India’s long-term opening pillar. Left out of the initial World Cup squad amid questions about her ODI consistency, Shafali has since been in irresistible form. Across the domestic senior T20 tournament this season, she smashed 341 runs in seven innings, averaging 56.83 with a strike rate of 182.35, including a blazing 104 off 57 balls. Her return now is as symbolic as it is tactical India reclaiming aggression in a match that demands fearlessness.
“Shafali brings that fearless energy,” captain Harmanpreet Kaur said on match eve. “We know what she can do in six overs and against Australia, that impact can set the tone for the entire game.”
At the nets on Tuesday, Shafali was the last batter to leave, working closely with assistant coach Troy Cooley on her technique outside off-stump a known weakness against late swing. Her intent was clear: stay aggressive, but stay in.
India vs Australia: Rivalry, Resilience, and Redemption
Few rivalries in world cricket evoke such emotional stakes. Australia enters as the tournament’s defending champions and the benchmark of consistency. India, meanwhile, carries the ghosts and inspiration of past near-misses. Since 2017, the teams have met in three major ICC knockout matches, each producing defining moments. India’s 2017 semi-final triumph at Derby remains etched in history, powered by Harmanpreet’s unbeaten 171*. But the heartbreak of the 2023 T20 World Cup semi-final, where India lost by five runs after Harmanpreet’s freak run-out, still lingers.
Australia dominates with 10 wins in their last 12 completed ODIs against India.
India’s Road to the Semi-Final: India’s campaign has oscillated between brilliance and inconsistency. They suffered three straight defeats mid-tournament, including a narrow four-run loss to England, before bouncing back with a commanding win over New Zealand posting 340/3. That batting display underlined their potential when rhythm and partnerships click.
However, fielding lapses and erratic middle-over bowling remain areas of concern. In a semifinal against the most clinical side in women’s cricket, India cannot afford either.
Australia’s Road: Unbeaten in the group stage, Australia have looked as formidable as ever. Their batting, anchored by Alyssa Healy (294 runs, avg. 98) and Ashleigh Gardner (265 runs, avg. 88.33), has been both explosive and efficient. Their bowling, spearheaded by Annabel Sutherland (15 wickets) and Alana King (13 wickets), remains unmatched in consistency.
Their ability to absorb pressure and punish lapses makes them the most dangerous side in any knockout.
Three World Cup matches have been played at DY Patil so far, all offering a fair balance between bat and ball. Teams batting first have won twice, with an average first innings score hovering around 250–260, matches being 202(50), 340(49) and 119(27).
The short square boundaries make spinners wary, though turn has increased as the tournament progressed. Expect early seam movement under lights and mild dew later in the evening making the toss a potential decider.
“The new ball could be lively for 10–12 overs, but it’ll flatten out. Spinners might dominate after 25,” said a ground official on Wednesday.
Key Player Battles
1. Shafali Verma vs Megan Schutt: Schutt’s late swing has troubled Shafali in the past dismissing her twice in the powerplay during previous bilateral meetings. But with new technical adjustments, Shafali’s restraint outside off could be crucial. Expect a duel of patience versus aggression in the opening overs.
2. Smriti Mandhana vs Annabel Sutherland: Mandhana has a strong record against Australia, having scored three hundreds and two fifties in her last five ODIs against them. Sutherland’s angle and disciplined length will test Mandhana’s off-side precision. A settled Smriti remains India’s most reliable path to a competitive total.
Source Statsguru
3. Ellyse Perry vs Renuka Singh: Perry’s class and adaptability make her a constant threat, but Renuka Singh’s swing has been India’s weapon of choice in powerplays. She dismissed Perry twice in the bilateral series earlier this year and her ability to strike early could dictate India’s momentum.
4. Harmanpreet Kaur vs Ashleigh Gardner: Few rivalries are as tactically rich. Gardner’s off-spin has often tied Harmanpreet down, forcing errors through tight lines. Yet, Harmanpreet has worked tirelessly on her sweep and lofted cover drives this past week clear preparation for this very battle.
5. Alyssa Healy vs Kranti Goud: A matchup rooted in recent history, Goud dismissed Healy in three successive ODIs before Healy responded with a sublime 142 in the group stage. Expect Goud to bowl full, attacking the stumps early, while Healy will counterattack to dominate the rhythm.
6. Beth Mooney vs Deepti Sharma: Mooney’s calm, calculated presence at No. 3 meets Deepti’s guile and variation. The Indian all-rounder’s ability to slow down Mooney’s scoring through drift and flight could be pivotal during the middle overs.
How India Can Upset Australia: The Five-Point Blueprint
- Exploit Powerplays Aggressively: Mandhana and Shafali must maximize the first 10 overs. India’s best powerplay runrate (6.8) came in their win against New Zealand the same template is essential here.
- Target Australia’s Top Three Early: Healy, Mooney, and Perry have accounted for 60% of Australia’s runs this tournament. Early wickets from Renuka and Kranti will disrupt the rhythm that underpins their batting depth.
- Control the Middle Overs Through Spin Discipline: Gardner and King operate best when opponents freeze. So keep the scoreboard ticking while batting Deepti, Radha, and Charni must maintain a 4.5 RPO during the overs 15–35.
- Fielding Efficiency Must Improve: India’s catching efficiency of 57% the lowest among semifinalists is a red flag. In contrast, Australia stands at 84%. India cannot let slip even half-chances, especially against Healy or Gardner.
- Finish Strong, Not Flashy: Richa Ghosh’s finishing role is vital. India’s lower order has averaged just 19 runs per wicket in the last five ODIs. A composed final ten overs could add 30–40 runs the difference between pressure and parity.
Predicted XIs
India Women: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Renuka Singh, Kranti Goud
Australia Women: Alyssa Healy (c & wk), Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Phoebe Litchfield, Annabel Sutherland, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Kim Garth
Match Schedule & Broadcast
- Date: October 30, 2025
- Start Time: 3:00 PM IST
- Venue: DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai
- TV: Star Sports 1 / Star Sports 1 HD / Star Sports Select 1
- Live Stream: Disney+ Hotstar (English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu commentary)
Australia enters as the undisputed powerhouse unbeaten, ruthless, and unmatched in consistency. India, however, walks in armed with unpredictability, emotion, and the one player capable of rewriting a match within an hour: Shafali Verma. Eight years after Harmanpreet’s 171* shook the world, and two years after her heartbreak in Cape Town, India once again stands on the threshold of history. Under the Navi Mumbai floodlights, this semi-final isn’t just another match it’s a test of evolution, belief, and redemption.
Can India bridge the “clinicality gap” against cricket’s most complete team?
The answer, once again, will unfold under pressure between two sides that make pressure an art form.
One thought on “ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 Semi-Final: India vs Australia, Shafali Verma Returns as India Eye Redemption”
Veru well written