NEW DELHI: India’s Women’s World Cup campaign is on a knife-edge after another agonising defeat. Chasing a target of 289 against England in Indore on Sunday, India fell just four runs short, marking their third consecutive loss in the tournament. With the win, England secured a semifinal berth alongside South Africa and Australia, leaving only one spot up for grabs. India currently sit fourth in the points table with four points from five matches (NRR +0.526), while their main competitor for the final semifinal place, New Zealand, also has four points but a lower net run-rate (-0.245).The defeat leaves India, co-hosts and pre-tournament favourites, teetering on the brink of elimination, with their semi-final hopes now resting on the outcomes of the remaining two group matches.India will next face New Zealand on Thursday, followed by their final group match against Bangladesh on October 26. A win in both games would guarantee a spot in the semifinals. If they lose to New Zealand, India will need the White Ferns to lose their last match against England and then beat Bangladesh to advance. There’s also a third scenario. If India beat New Zealand but lose to Bangladesh, and New Zealand defeat England, the team with the better net run-rate will progress.
- SCENARIO 1 – WIN BOTH MATCHES:
- India beat New Zealand and Bangladesh.
- Result: India qualifies for the semifinals regardless of other results.
- SCENARIO 2 – LOSE TO NEW ZEALAND:
- India lose to New Zealand.
- Then, India hope New Zealand lose their final match against England.
- India must beat Bangladesh to advance.
- SCENARIO 3 – WIN vs NEW ZEALAND, LOSE vs BANGLADESH:
- India beat New Zealand but lose to Bangladesh.
- New Zealand must defeat England in their final match.
- The team with the better net run-rate (India or New Zealand) will progress to the semifinals.
Against England, India looked on course for victory for much of the chase. Skipper Smriti Mandhana scored a commanding 88, while Harmanpreet Kaur contributed 70 and Deepti Sharma added 50.
With India needing 56 runs off 54 balls and seven wickets in hand, the match seemed under control. However, England fought back brilliantly to clinch the win. Heather Knight’s classy 109 off 91 balls, in her 300th international appearance, had earlier anchored England’s total of 288/8, with Amy Jones contributing 56. India’s bowlers triggered a late collapse, but Linsey Smith and Sophie Ecclestone sealed England’s triumph in the final overs.“It’s a bad feeling when you have put so much hard work in but the last 5-6 overs didn’t go according to the plan,” Harmanpreet said after the match. “Smriti’s wicket was the turning point for us. It’s a heartbreaking moment. Credit to England. They didn’t lose hope, they kept bowling and getting wickets.”
