India’s journey in the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 is at a critical juncture after succumbing to Australia by three wickets in Visakhapatnam. This latest defeat, their second in a row, has cast a shadow over their semifinal prospects. Nevertheless, qualification remains a tangible possibility, contingent on strong performances in their remaining fixtures against New Zealand and Bangladesh.
After four games, India is positioned third in the league standings with four points, having secured two victories and suffered two defeats. South Africa is level on points in fourth place but trails India on Net Run Rate (NRR). The fact that South Africa has played one fewer game adds urgency for India to secure maximum points from their upcoming matches.
The competitive encounter against Australia exposed vulnerabilities, particularly the team’s middle-order batting and the ability to close out crucial moments. Australia’s win continues their impressive run at the top of the table.
India’s qualification scenarios are straightforward: win their remaining games. Two victories against New Zealand and Bangladesh would take India’s tally to eight points, a strong position for a semifinal spot, particularly if their NRR is better than competitors. Winning all subsequent matches guarantees progression, regardless of other results. A commanding end to the league stage could fuel their ambition for a historic World Cup win.