India-W enter all-important challenge against New Zealand

After three straight losses, the Indian women’s team now confront what can be one of their most important challenges in the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup. New Zealand, who are on level terms with the Women in Blue, will be locking horns with India in Navi Mumbai tomorrow to possibly seal a berth for the semis.

Currently fourth in the points table, courtesy of a superior net run rate, if India wins tomorrow, then they make their path a lot easier with their last group stage fixture being against Bangladesh. New Zealand, on the contrary will be facing off England in their last group stage challenge, the team that is still to taste defeat in the ongoing iteration of the tournament.

India came mighty close to winning their last three games but failed to close them out which has hurt their ambitions dearly. Against South Africa, they had the upper hand for a good deal before they lost the plot completely. Australia witnessed Indian batters activate their beast mode but a slump towards the end and India’s failure to claim another wicket after the seventh backfired.

India were practically in the driver’s seat against England and were the favourites to secure the game. But a late slump saw the Women in Blue crumble and eventually fall short of the finishing line by just four runs. The team that gets the win will have the upper hand before the final round fixtures in the group stages kick off. Australia, England and South Africa have already booked their slots in the semis. It’s the fourth position that will be fought for by three teams which makes it a fascinating juncture of the tournament.

Venue Watch:

The surface in Navi Mumbai has been a decent batting surface at all times. The kind of mean power that both the teams pack, can turn this into a high-scoring encounter. The track tends to get better in the second half which will make batting a lot easier. The team winning the toss, might just opt to bowl first, keeping the conditions in mind.

Match details:

Match - India vs New Zealand, ICC Women's ODI World Cup

Venue – DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai

Date – 23rd October, 2025

Time - 3:00 PM

Head-to-head:

Matches played - 57

India - 22

New Zealand  - 34

Squads:

India:

Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Radha Yadav, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Amanjot Kaur, Uma Chetry, Shree Charani

New Zealand:

Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Melie Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Georgia Plimmer, Lea Tahuhu