Storylines: What Harmanpreet Kaur-led India needs to do to reach Women’s World Cup semi-finals | Cricket News
NEW DELHI: India’s Women’s World Cup campaign is hanging by a thread after yet another heartbreaking defeat. After 289 against England in Indore on Sunday, India lost just four runs, marking their third consecutive defeat in the tournament. England’s victory secured them a place in the semi-final, joining South Africa and Australia, leaving just one place still up for grabs. India currently sit fourth in the points table with four points from five matches (NRR +0.526), while New Zealand, their main rivals for the final semi-final spot, also have four points but a lower net run rate (-0.245).The defeat leaves co-hosts and pre-tournament favorites India on the brink of elimination, with their semi-final hopes dependent on the results of the two remaining group matches.India next face New Zealand on Thursday, followed by their final group clash against Bangladesh on October 26.A win in both matches would guarantee India a place in the semi-finals.If they lose to New Zealand, India will need the White Ferns to lose their final match against England and then beat Bangladesh to advance.There is also a third scenario: if India beat New Zealand but lose to Bangladesh and New Zealand beat England, the team with the better net progression rate will progress.
- SCENARIO 1 – WIN BOTH GAMES:
- India beat New Zealand and Bangladesh.
- Result: India qualifies for the semi-finals regardless of other results.
- SCENARIO 2 – LOSING TO NEW ZEALAND:
- India loses to New Zealand.
- Next, India will hope that New Zealand lose their final match against England.
- India must beat Bangladesh to advance.
- SCENARIO 3 – WIN against NEW ZEALAND, LOSE against BANGLADESH:
- India beats New Zealand but loses to Bangladesh.
- New Zealand must defeat England in their final match.
- The team with the best net run rate (India or New Zealand) will advance.
Against England, India seemed to control much of the chase. Skipper Smriti Mandhana scored an impressive 88, while Harmanpreet Kaur contributed 70 and Deepti Sharma added 50.With India needing 56 runs with 54 balls and seven wickets in hand, the match looked under control. But England fought back brilliantly to claim victory. Heather Knight’s 109 from 91 balls, in her 300th international appearance, set England’s total at 288/8, with Amy Jones contributing 56.Indian bowlers triggered a late collapse but Linsey Smith and Sophie Ecclestone sealed England’s triumph in the finals.“It’s a bad feeling when you’ve worked so hard and the last 5-6 overs didn’t go as planned,” Harmanpreet said after the match. “Smriti’s wicket was the turning point for us. It’s a heartbreaking moment. Thanks to England. They didn’t lose hope, they kept bowling and getting wickets.”
