The India-Australia Women’s World Cup semifinal match in Navi Mumbai on Thursday is under huge risk of getting impacted by rain. According to AccuWeather anticipating thunderstorms and a yellow alert for the morning in Mumbai. There is a reserve day on Friday, but in case of a washout on both days, Australia will qualify for the final, having finished higher in the group table.
Aside from the weather issues, both sides come into this high-profile encounter with significant injury news dictating their strategy. India dealt a big setback with opener Pratika Rawal suffering an ankle injury while fielding against Bangladesh and being ruled out of the rest of the tournament. During her absence, Shafali Verma returns unexpectedly to the ODI fray after over a year, providing an aggressive choice at the top of the batting order alongside vice-captain Smriti Mandhana. Shafali impressed with a half-century for India A earlier this year in Australia, and her return is likely to enhance India’s batting intentions.
Australia’s main concern, on the other hand, has been captain Alyssa Healy, who sat out the previous two games with a calf injury. Having completed a full training session on Wednesday including batting and wicketkeeping practice she is expected to be back in the XI. If she plays, Beth Mooney might either stay behind the stumps or move back to a batting-only position depending on Healy’s return to form.
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India’s bowling attack is still under debate. Renuka Thakur is likely to lead the pace department, with Radha Yadav, Sneh Rana, and Sree Charani fighting it out for spin. Australia will look at recalling Sophie Molineux in place of Georgia Wareham to add more depth to spin, with all-rounders Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath, and Ashleigh Gardner being the middle-order props as the defending champions seek another final spot.
