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With India’s spot secured and Bangladesh out, the match was a chance for India to test their bench, fix flaws, and build momentum ahead of the semifinal against Australia.
India end the ICC World Cup group stage at 4th place on the points table
India’s last league match against Bangladesh in Navi Mumbai on Sunday (October 26) was nothing but a dead rubber. With India’s final league position already decided, the result of the fixture against already-eliminated Bangladesh hardly mattered. However, it was an opportunity for the hosts to address their weaknesses, test their bench strength, and put on a strong performance to put pressure on a formidable Australian team in the crucial semi-final next week at the same venue.
India facing Australia in an ICC ODI World Cup semi-final is something that Indian fans take pride in. Back in 2017, the India vs Australia semi-final changed the face of women’s cricket in India forever. Eight years later, in 2025, the clock seemed to turn back.
A win over the Australians – the only undefeated team in the tournament – on Thursday in the semi-final will not only take India to the final of the Women’s ODI World Cup for the third time in history, but will also make them favourites for the title.
It is not easy to defeat the Aussies, who have won three out of four matches against India this year, but it is also true that none of those matches were one-sided affairs. Not even when the Australians posted a daunting total of 412 in Delhi, earlier in September.
India can defeat Australia, who are still uncertain whether their captain, Alyssa Healy, will be fit for the game. In fact, India is the only team in the ongoing tournament that has managed to put the Australian bowlers under pressure. So, it should be no surprise on Thursday.
India’s match against Bangladesh was important in terms of gearing up to face the invincible Australians. If one analyses how the hosts performed in the rain-hit contest, it was ‘almost a perfect game’.
The bowlers, after getting a chance to bowl first only for the second time in this tournament, restricted Bangladesh to 119/9 in 27 overs. In reply, the batters provided a flying start before rain halted the run chase in the 9th over, ultimately forcing an abandonment.
Smriti Mandhana, arguably India’s greatest batter in this World Cup, was batting on 34 from 27 balls when the match was called off. Her makeshift opening partner, Amanjot Kaur, was unbeaten on 15 (25) after returning 1 for 18 in four overs. The Indian team management will be pleased by Amanjot’s performance as she delivered with both bat and ball just at the right time.
The only setback was an unfortunate, rather freak ankle injury to opener Pratika Rawal. The Delhi girl, currently the second-highest run-getter in this year’s World Cup and has 976 ODI runs in 2025, limped off the field in the 21st over and didn’t take any further part in the game.
Not only the Indian camp but the fans will also hope and pray that the ankle twist, which looked nasty on the field, isn’t too bad to keep her away from action on Thursday. Because if she misses out, it will hurt India’s batting, which has been on song so far, significantly.
Navi Mumbai, India, India
October 26, 2025, 23:22 IST
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