By Snehasis Mukherjee in Navi Mumbai
An enthralling contest awaits Navi Mumbai as India are set to face Australia in the semi-final of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup on October 30, 2025. Rain might loom as a potential spoiler, but beyond the weather, this clash promises several intriguing individual duels that could shape the outcome.
Sophie Molineux and Alana King vs India’s spin woes
India’s batters have found it difficult to counter spin throughout this tournament, particularly against left-arm options. In the group-stage clash, Sophie Molineux may have gone for 75 runs in her 10 overs, but her three crucial wickets (Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, and Deepti Sharma) hurt India at key stages.
Alana King, meanwhile, went wicketless in that fixture (0/49 in 6 overs, economy 8.16), but her recent form is frightening. Coming off a dream spell of 7 for 18 against South Africa, she now sits third on the wicket-takers’ list with 13 wickets in six innings. If she finds turn in Navi Mumbai similar to what she extracted in Indore, India could once again be tested against quality spin.
Annabel Sutherland’s variations in the death overs
Annabel Sutherland has been Australia’s biggest bowling weapon, leading the tournament charts with 15 wickets in six innings. In the earlier meeting with India, she bagged a five-wicket haul, using her clever slower deliveries to outfox the middle and lower order.
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Those variations denied India the extra 20–30 runs they were pushing for, a gap that ultimately proved decisive. Her ability to mix pace and control at the death will once again be a major threat to the Women in Blue.
Renuka Singh Thakur & Kranti Gaud: New ball menace
With regular skipper Alyssa Healy likely to miss the match due to a calf strain, Australia’s opening pair could once again feature Phoebe Litchfield and Georgia Voll. Against that combination, the Indian new-ball duo of Renuka Singh Thakur and Kranti Gaud will be key.
Both can swing the new ball effectively and have impressive records against the Aussies. Renuka has 8 wickets in 8 innings (economy 6.33), while Kranti has 5 wickets in 4 innings (economy 6.45). Early breakthroughs from them could set the tone for India’s push towards the final.
Deepti Sharma & Shree Charani’s spin trap
In their previous clash, the spin pair of Deepti Sharma and N Shree Charani troubled the Australian batters consistently, combining for five wickets. Deepti has been one of India’s standout performers this World Cup, both with bat and ball, and currently sits second on the wicket-takers’ list with 15 wickets.
If the surface at Navi Mumbai offers even a hint of grip, the duo could again create serious problems for the Aussie middle order.
Also Read: Officials Confirmed for ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Semi-Finals