Women's World Cup 2025 Qualification Scenarios: How can India still qualify for semi-final?

Published - 12 Oct 2025, 22:45 IST | Updated - 12 Oct 2025, 23:04 IST

After a solid start to their ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 campaign, India has suddenly suffered a major setback. Consecutive defeats to South Africa and Australia have placed Harmanpreet Kaur’s team in a tricky position, leaving them little margin for error in the upcoming matches. Despite the setbacks, India’s qualification hopes for the semi-finals remain alive, but not that easily.

India opened their campaign by defeating Sri Lanka by 59 runs (DLS method) and arch-rivals Pakistan by 88 runs. Those wins propelled them to the top half of the table and put them as serious contenders for a top-four finish. However, the momentum shifted following back-to-back defeats.

First came the loss to South Africa in Visakhapatnam, where India’s batting recovery, led by Richa Ghosh’s 94 off 77 balls, wasn’t enough to defend 251. South Africa chased down the target with three wickets to spare. Then, against Australia, the Women in Blue faced a heartbreaking defeat in another high-scoring encounter. Despite posting a massive 330 on the board, thanks to half-centuries from Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal, Alyssa Healy’s scintillating 142 guided the defending champions to the highest successful chase in Women’s ODI history, as they overhauled the target with six balls remaining.

The Women in Blue have a total of three games ahead of them. The fixtures are listed as follows:

India need to win at least two, preferably all three, of their remaining games to stay alive in the semi-final race.