How India Women National Team Can Enter Women's World Cup Semi-Final - Explained

The Indian Women’s Cricket Team have found themselves in a spot of bother in the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup 2025. They started the tournament on a high note, registering back-to-back wins, and were surely looking favourites to win the tournament. However, things changed drastically for them, as after that, nothing went their way.

They lost two back-to-back games against South Africa and Australia, both by three wickets. It was then expected that they would make a strong comeback in the game against England, which took place on Sunday, October 19, at one of the smallest cricket stadiums in the world, Holkar Stadium in Indore. But that wasn't the case as they lost the match, registering their third consecutive loss. For the majority of the match, they looked like the favorites to win the match, but they failed to close it as England snatched the victory from the jaws of defeat, winning by just four runs.

England Edge India in Thrilling Encounter to Secure ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Semifinal Spot

England, who were asked to bat, had a decent start with openers Tammy Beaumont (22) and Amy Jones (56) adding 73 runs for the opening stand. After that, Heather Knight joined the party and slammed a sensational century, ending with an innings of 109 runs. Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt (38) supported her brilliantly as they posted 113 runs for the third wicket. Thanks to their effort with the bat, England posted 288 for eight. For India, Deepti Sharma was the pick of the bowlers with his figures of four for 51.

In the chase, India lost Pratika Rawal and Harleen Deol (24) early but the seniors in Smriti Mandhana (88) and Harmanpreet Kaur (70) took the onus on themselves and led the fightback. The duo added 125 runs for the third wicket. Before Deepti Sharma (50) chipped in and slammed a half-century. After Deepti got out, England pulled back the things brilliantly and won the game by a barest of margins. Not only did they win the game, but they also became the third team to qualify for the semi-final of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.

India Women’s World Cup 2025 Semifinal Qualification Scenario

With the loss, the Indian women’s team have put themselves in trouble. They are currently at the fourth spot in the points table and have two more games left against New Zealand and Bangladesh at D.Y.Patil Stadium in Navi. Despite the loss against England, they are still in the race for the semi-final, but things won't be easy for them. If we look at India Women’s World Cup 2025 Semifinal Qualification Scenario, they need to win their next two games as it will take them to eight points, which will be enough for them to qualify.

India Women’s World Cup 2025 Semifinal Qualification Scenario will be different if they lose to New Zealand but beat Bangladesh. In this case, they would want England to beat the White Ferns as it will help them finish with more wins than the Kiwis. If India beats New Zealand and beats Bangladesh, then they will have six points and would want the Kiwis to lose against England. But if that doesn't happen and New Zealand beats England, then things would be decided based on the NRR.