India’s quest for a maiden Women’s ODI World Cup title is alive as they enter their fifth semifinal appearance in the 2025 tournament. The team faces a daunting challenge in the semifinals against the undefeated Australian side in Navi Mumbai. This knockout stage signifies India’s consistent presence in the latter stages of the World Cup. Their path to this crucial juncture involved overcoming a mid-tournament slump, marked by three successive defeats, before a crucial win over New Zealand guaranteed their progression. A washout in their final league game against Bangladesh did not impede their journey. The upcoming clash against Australia, widely considered the tournament favorites, presents the sternest test yet. India’s historical best in the Women’s ODI World Cup comprises two runner-up finishes. The 2005 final saw a young Indian team reach the championship match, ultimately losing to Australia. The 2017 edition brought another near-miss, with an iconic semifinal performance by Harmanpreet Kaur leading India to victory against Australia. However, the final against England ended in heartbreak, with India falling just nine runs short of the target despite being in a commanding position.
