NEW DELHI: Hosts India are on the cusp of a monumental clash, set to face formidable Australia in the ICC Women’s World Cup semifinal at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai this Thursday. The Indian team desperately seeks a moment of brilliance, akin to Captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s unforgettable 171 against Australia eight years ago, to secure a coveted spot in the final.
The road to history, however, has become more challenging with the untimely injury to in-form opener Pratika Rawal, whose recent century against New Zealand had revitalized India’s campaign. Speaking to reporters on the eve of this crucial encounter, former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop urged India to embrace a ‘next-player-up’ philosophy to overcome Rawal’s absence and sustain their winning belief.
“Those are never easy questions to fill the void because Pratika, with that hundred in her last performance, looked in great touch,” Bishop stated. “It’s a significant blow. But within the team, it has to be the next player up. Whether they go with Shafali Verma, whose record against Australia isn’t great, or someone else, they cannot dwell on the fact that Pratika isn’t there. Someone must step in and make an impact — it’s a World Cup semifinal, and everything is on the line.”
Bishop expressed confidence that Shafali Verma, despite her recent inclusion, can be India’s ‘trump card’ if she approaches the game with a clear and liberated mindset.
“It comes down to mindset,” he explained. “Shafali has to look at this as a chance she didn’t expect. It’s the biggest stage outside a final, and she can’t afford to think about pressure. Her thought must be, ‘I have an opportunity to make a difference for my team and country.’ If she stays relaxed and trusts her preparation, she can fill that void.”
For Bishop, India’s optimal strategy to counter Australia’s formidable presence involves maintaining composure and deploying a bowling attack robust enough to challenge their deep batting lineup.
“It’s no easy task against a team as good as Australia,” he conceded. “But they’re not invincible. India must believe it’s just another cricket game — not life or death. If they go in relaxed but focused, that’s when upsets happen. I’d like India to field six bowlers to handle Australia’s batting depth. Let the batters take responsibility, but you need that extra bowling option.”
Regarding India’s potential team composition, Bishop emphasized the need for balance. “It’s a tricky call. I don’t know how you drop Harleen Deol. If Richa Ghosh is fit, she must come back in. Maybe Harleen can open if they don’t go with Shafali. Radha Yadav bowled beautifully against Bangladesh, so she’s hard to leave out. For me, against a strong side like Australia, you can’t rely on part-timers — specialists win semifinals.”
The weather in Navi Mumbai, where India’s last league match was rained out, could also influence the outcome. When asked which team might benefit from interruptions, Bishop offered a thoughtful perspective.
“In a shortened game, it depends on timing,” he elucidated. “Australia have more power in their lineup — their strike rates show that. So if rain shortens the match and they’re chasing, it might tilt slightly in their favour. But cricket’s unpredictable — if India start well and build scoreboard pressure, that equation can flip.”
For India, Smriti Mandhana’s stellar form, with 365 runs at an average of 60.83, remains their brightest hope. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur will also need to reignite her explosive batting to deliver another match-winning performance. Meanwhile, Australia, with Alyssa Healy’s likely return and strong showings from Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, and Annabel Sutherland, continue to set the standard for consistency and dominance.
As the stage is set beneath the watchful Mumbai skies, Bishop’s concluding message blended realism with unwavering optimism: “Australia has the numbers and the momentum, but belief can bridge that gap. India has to play like they belong here — calm, fearless, and ready to seize the moment. One spark, one special innings — that’s all it takes to change everything.”