A Crucial Encounter: India vs. Australia in Women’s World Cup 2025
The stage is set in Visakhapatnam for a pivotal clash in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, where a formidable Australian side, the defending champions, awaits a determined yet rattled Indian team. For India, this isn’t just another match; it’s an opportunity to bounce back from a recent three-wicket loss to South Africa and inject new life into their campaign.
The Urgent Need for a Sixth Bowling Option
The defeat against South Africa glaringly exposed the limitations of India’s current five-bowler strategy. When pacers Kranti Gaud and Amanjot Kaur conceded a combined 30 runs in just two crucial overs (47th and 49th), allowing South Africa to chase down 252, it became clear a change was necessary. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was forced to resort to her part-time off-spin, but against a powerful batting lineup like Australia’s, this one-dimensional attack could prove disastrous again.
India’s current bowling contingent consists of two right-arm pacers (Gaud, Amanjot), two off-spinners (Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana), and one left-arm spinner (Sree Charani). This mix might not be enough to contain Australia’s aggressive batters like Alyssa Healy, Ashleigh Gardner, and Ellyse Perry.
Weighing the Bowling Reserves
With South Africa openly admitting they targeted India’s pacers while spinners found turn, the hosts are strongly considering bringing in an additional spinner. Radha Yadav, an experienced left-arm spinner who can also contribute with the bat, is a prime candidate. However, Australia features two strong left-handers, Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield, who often thrive against left-arm spin. This presents a dilemma, as retaining the off-spinners might be a preferred strategy to turn the ball away from them.
Another option is to replace Amanjot Kaur with pacer Arundhati Reddy, but this could weaken India’s lower-order batting, a department that has frequently bailed them out in the past. Replacing Harleen Deol with Yadav is also on the table, but this risks further destabilizing an already fragile top order.
Persistent Top-Order Batting Concerns
India’s struggles at the top of the batting order have been a recurring theme this tournament. While they narrowly escaped collapses against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, the top order completely faltered against South Africa. Australia’s potent attack will likely be even less forgiving.
Key batters like Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Jemimah Rodrigues must step up. Smriti Mandhana, in particular, needs to find her pre-World Cup form, where she amassed 928 runs at an average of 66 in 14 innings. Her current tally of just 54 runs from three matches is a significant concern. Yet, there’s a silver lining: Mandhana has a strong record against Australia, with 916 runs at an average of 48.21, including four centuries, in ODIs. India will be heavily relying on their vice-captain to rediscover her rhythm before challenging fixtures against England and New Zealand.
Squads for the Clash:
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Uma Chetry, Renuka Singh Thakur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud.
Australia: Alyssa Healy (c), Darcie Brown, Ash Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.