NEW DELHI: The ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 semifinal clash between cricketing giants India and Australia at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Thursday promises to be a spectacular event – that is, if the weather permits. With forecasts predicting heavy morning showers, cricket enthusiasts nationwide are anxiously wondering: will rain play spoilsport?
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A yellow alert for heavy rain was issued for Thursday morning across Mumbai, with thunderstorms anticipated until approximately 7 am IST. However, according to AccuWeather’s projections, the morning’s thundershowers are expected to give way to clearer skies as the day progresses. The chance of precipitation stands at 55% early in the day, but it’s the afternoon’s brightening outlook that offers significant relief for both players and fans.
File Pic: Rain stopped play during an ICC Women’s World Cup match at the DY Patil Stadium, in Navi Mumbai. (PTI Photo)
By 3 pm, the scheduled start time for India and Australia to take the field, conditions are expected to be ideal for cricket. Hazy sunshine and a comfortable 33°C temperature are predicted, with only a 20% chance of rain. This risk dwindles even further to a mere 4% by 7 pm, making it highly probable that the match will proceed without significant interruptions.
Reserve Day Rules
Nevertheless, given Navi Mumbai’s notoriously unpredictable coastal weather, officials are maintaining a vigilant stance. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has thoughtfully implemented provisions for a reserve day for both semifinals and the final, ensuring that adverse weather alone does not determine who progresses to Sunday’s ultimate showdown.
In accordance with ICC regulations, every conceivable effort will be made to conclude the game on its original scheduled day, even if this necessitates reducing the number of overs. Should rain intercede during play, the match will seamlessly resume from the exact point it was halted on the designated reserve day.
For instance, if a full 50-over match commences but rain interrupts proceedings midway, it will continue as a 50-over contest the following day. However, if the overs have already been adjusted – for example, to 46 per side – the game will pick up from that revised point.
But what if the relentless rain refuses to subside, even on the reserve day? In such a scenario, the team that achieved a higher ranking on the group stage points table will automatically advance to the final. This means that Australia, having topped the standings, would progress if the semifinal is entirely washed out.
And in the exceedingly rare circumstance of the final itself being abandoned across both scheduled days, the prestigious trophy would be shared between the two deserving finalists.
Tough Challenge for India
For now, however, the weather gods appear to be smiling just in the nick of time. Once the morning thunderstorms dissipate, Navi Mumbai should experience perfect cricketing conditions. This sets the stage for a high-voltage India-Australia encounter that could potentially evoke memories of Harmanpreet Kaur’s unforgettable 171-run innings in 2017.
After navigating a challenging campaign, India is eagerly seeking that one extraordinary performance to finally shatter Australia’s formidable dominance.
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