India plays their Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 semifinal on October 30 in Navi Mumbai, and the team certainly has some tough selection calls to make when they face Australia again. In their league match earlier in the tournament, despite scoring 330 runs, India were found wanting in the bowling department, with the match finishing in the 48th over itself.
Clearly, five bowlers aren’t enough against the top team. So, keeping in mind the need for an extra bowler and accommodating a change for Pratika Rawal, who is now out of the tournament, InsideSport takes a look at the India predicted XI for the second Women’s ODI World Cup semifinal.
Shafali Verma comes in, Harmanpreet Kaur at 3
Shafali Verma has been brought in for Pratika, who’s been ruled out of the tournament. Therefore, it is a no-brainer that the former opens alongside Smriti Mandhana. That said, Harmanpreet Kaur will have to come at No. 3, followed by a changeable middle order. Most likely, Jemimah Rodrigues could follow. In that case, Harleen Deol would have to sit out.
Richa Ghosh, a floater
She is a genuine power hitter. Depending on how the match is placed, Richa Ghosh’s batting order could be changed. In case of batting first, she shouldn’t be just preserved for the last 10-15 overs. She is a much better batter than that. If it’s her day, she can bludgeon the usually good Aussie bowlers.
Six bowlers a must
Radhav Yadav bagged three wickets against Bangladesh, and she should be played for sure. She can bat a bit as well. So, that means Indian bowling would include — Renuka Thakur, Deepti Sharma, Radha, Kranti Gaud, Sneh Rana, and Amanjot Kaur. Unfortunately, despite bowling decently well, Sree Charani goes out.
Predicted India XI vs Australia semifinal
Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh Thakur
Bench: Harleen Doel, Uma Chetry (wk), Shree Charani, Arundhati Reddy
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