NEW DELHI: India’s Women’s World Cup campaign is hanging by a thread after another heart-wrenching defeat. Chasing 289 against England in Indore on Sunday, India fell just four runs short, marking their third consecutive loss in the tournament. England’s win secured them a semifinal spot, joining South Africa and Australia, leaving only one berth 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 rival for the final semifinal place, also has four points but a lower net run-rate (-0.245).The defeat leaves India, co-hosts and pre-tournament favourites, on the brink of elimination, with their semifinal hopes dependent on the outcomes of the remaining two group matches.India will 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 semifinal berth.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 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 outcomes.
- 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 last match.
- The team with the better net run-rate (India or New Zealand) will progress.
Against England, India looked in control 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 appeared under control. But England fought back brilliantly to clinch victory. Heather Knight’s 109 off 91 balls, in her 300th international appearance, 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.”
