By Trisha Ghosal in Mumbai
The group stage of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 has wrapped up, with India’s clash against Bangladesh abandoned due to relentless rain. Now, it’s time for the all-important semi-finals. India take on the mighty Australians, on Thursday, at the DY Patil Stadium, fighting for a place in the final. There’s a lot of chatter going around in the cricketing circles. Can the Australians be rattled? Can India pull off a famous win?
If any team can, it’s probably India, given how often they’ve pushed Australia to the brink. Yet, closing games out still remains India’s biggest hurdle and that could be the difference between marching into the final or bowing out again at the semi-final stage. Three major questions are being asked, here’s what you need to know:
Can Shafali Verma replace Pratika Rawal?
Pratika Rawal suffered a knee and ankle injury during Bangladesh’s innings yesterday. She didn’t come out to open in India’s chase either, and the BCCI medical team is monitoring her progress. India can summon a replacement from outside the original reserves if the ICC Event Committee approves her withdrawal from the remainder of the tournament. So, yes, Shafali Verma can be drafted in to replace Pratika Rawal if required.
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Will Alyssa Healy play in the semis?
When India and Australia met in Vizag earlier in the group stage, Healy smashed a sensational 142 while chasing India’s 330. She then scored another hundred in the following match against Bangladesh. But a calf strain on 18 October has kept her out of the rest of the group stage. Coach Shelley Nitschke says they’re pushing for her return, and considering Healy has hinted this is her final ODI World Cup, expect her to do everything to be fit. If not, Australia have a ready opener in Georgia Voll. She boasts superb numbers against India, in five matches she has scored 254 runs at an average of 63.50 and a strike rate of 109.48, with one fifty and one century.
What happens if the India–Australia semi-final is rained off?
Given how the rain has taken over Mumbai, it’s a realistic concern. Thursday’s forecast shows a 90% chance of rain. The good news: Friday is a reserve day. The not-so-good news: The forecast for Friday shows an 80% chance of rain too. If both days get washed out, Australia will advance to the final thanks to their superior group-stage record.
Also Read: Radha’s spell, Pratika’s injury in the spotlight as Bangladesh post 119/9 against India