India Women vs New Zealand Women – ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Match Preview

Date: Thursday, 23 October 2025
Time: 10:30 GMT | 15:30 IST | 09:30 BST
Venue: Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai
Match No.: 24
Tournament: ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 (50-over format)

Match Overview

The India Women vs New Zealand Women clash at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai is a pivotal encounter with significant implications for both teams' semifinal aspirations. With three consecutive losses already under their belt, India are in desperate need of a win to keep their World Cup dreams alive. New Zealand, currently fifth in the standings, are also in a must-win situation as they aim to climb the ladder and secure a spot in the knockout stages.

The match will be played under the pressure of potential rain, as weather forecasts suggest the possibility of an interruption. A washout would complicate the qualification scenario for both teams, potentially opening the door for Sri Lanka if they secure a win in their final group match.

Team Form

India Women

India started the tournament with two comfortable wins but have since stumbled with three consecutive defeats against South Africa, Australia, and England. A win here is essential for them to remain in contention for the semifinals. The team has a balanced squad, with experience and depth in both batting and bowling.

• Top Order Strength: Smriti Mandhana has been in fine form at the top, while Pratika Rawal has shown consistency.
• Middle Order: Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain, is expected to lead the charge, supported by the likes of Jemimah Rodrigues and Amanjot Kaur.
• Bowling Attack: Deepti Sharma remains the standout performer with 13 wickets in five games, and Sneh Rana provides solid spin support.

New Zealand Women

New Zealand's performance has been inconsistent, with a crucial washout against Pakistan where they were in a strong position to win. Their victory over India in the 2022 World Cup remains fresh in the minds of Indian fans, but recent performances suggest they are not at their best.

• Captaincy and Batting: Sophie Devine has been in scintillating form, scoring 260 runs in three innings at an average of 86.7. She is the key to New Zealand's batting hopes.
• Bowling Attack: Jess Kerr has been a standout with the ball, taking 12 wickets at an average of 19.6. Lea Tahuhu and Amelia Kerr provide pace and aggression.

Venue Report – Dr DY Patil Sports Academy

• Pitch Type: The surface is known for offering good bounce and pace, with the ability to assist both seam and spin later in the innings.
• Historical Trends: Chasing teams have historically found success here, with the total often being chased down.
• Weather: There are predictions of rain, which could lead to an abandonment or a reduced-overs match. Both teams need to be prepared for all eventualities.

Head-to-Head

• Matches Played: 57
• India Won: 22
• New Zealand Won: 34
• Tied/No Result: 1
• Last Meeting: India won by 10 runs on 29 October 2024
• Most Recent Fixtures: New Zealand have the slight edge in recent ODI meetings, but India are strong at home.

Key Players to Watch

Match Prediction

Given the form of both teams and the nature of the venue, the chasing team is expected to win. Deepti Sharma's accurate spin and Sophie Devine's all-round ability could tip the balance in favor of either side. However, India's home advantage and the need for a win might give them the edge.

Prediction: Chasing team to win the match

Net Run Rate Impact: A win will significantly improve the run rate for the winning team, which could be decisive in the qualification race.

What If the Match is Washed Out?

If the match is abandoned due to rain, both India and New Zealand will earn one point each. The qualification scenario will then hinge on their final group matches:

• India vs Bangladesh
• New Zealand vs England

If both teams win their last games, they will finish with 5 points each. In that case, the net run rate will determine the fourth qualifier. If both teams lose, Sri Lanka could qualify if they beat Pakistan.

Conclusion

This is a must-win clash for both India and New Zealand as they fight for a semifinal berth. With rain in the forecast, the outcome could be unpredictable. However, both teams need to focus on securing a win, as a draw or loss could cost them the tournament. The battle between Deepti Sharma and Sophie Devine could prove to be the defining factor.

Catch the match at 10:30 GMT / 15:30 IST on Thursday, 23 October 2025.
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