The Women in Blue will be hoping to find their mojo when they face New Zealand in what would effectively be a virtual quarterfinal of the Women’s ODI World Cup.

Despite the festive fervour and forecasts of unseasonal rain, the tickets have been sold out for Thursday’s (October 23, 2025) fixture at the DY Patil Stadium.

India, which suffered three successive losses, would be hoping to inch closer to sealing a semifinal berth.

India is yet to play an ODI at the ground and has won just three of its eight T20Is here. The Indian players, however, can take confidence from their Women’s Premier League experience at the venue. The team understands that the red-soil surface would offer runs, and thus, the onus will be on the batters to deliver the goods.

Despite being a tournament favourite and the host, things have been far from perfect for the Women in Blue as they have struggled to win key moments.

India fell agonisingly short in the run chase against England as senior batter Smriti Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur failed to get the team across the line.

The skipper has scored 141 runs in five games, whereas Smriti scored half-centuries in the last two games after a string of low scores.

In conditions familiar to her, Jemimah Rodrigues is likely to return to the side. None of India’s top batters have been able to finish games, leaving the team heavily reliant on Richa Ghosh, and that’s a major concern.

Coming on the back of a rain-marred campaign in Colombo, New Zealand would be banking on Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates to come good in this crucial fixture.

As skipper Devine suggested, India would start as a favourite, but then, it needs to remain calm and as the theme of the tournament suggests, show the ‘will to win’.

England beat Bangladesh by four wickets in their Women’s World Cup match here on Tuesday (October 7, 2025).

England produced a disciplined bowling performance to dismiss Bangladesh for 178 and then achieved the target, scoring 182 for 6 in 46.1 overs with Heather Knight top-scoring with an unbeaten 79.

Sent in to bat, Bangladesh were reeling at 59 for three before Sobhana Mostary held one end with a patient 108-ball 60. However, wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals.

It was a late flourish from Rabeya Khan (43 off 27 balls) — featuring one six and six fours — that lent some respectability to the total.

For England, Sophie Ecclestone (3/24) was the pick of the bowlers, while Charlie Dean (2/28), Linsey Smith (2/33), Lauren Bell (1/28) and Alice Capsey (2/31) chipped in with wickets.

Fahima Khatun (3/16) was the most successful bowler for Bangladesh.

Brief scores: Bangladesh Women: 178 all out in 49.4 overs (Sobhana Mostary 60, Rabeya Khan 43; Sophie Ecclestone 3/24, Charlie Dean 2/28).

England Women: 182 for 6 in 46.1 overs (Heather Knight 79 not out; Fahima Khatun 3/16).

Pakistan batter Sidra Amin was on Monday reprimanded and handed one demerit point by the ICC for breaching its Level 1 of Code of Conduct during the Women’s World Cup match against India in Colombo.

Amin waged a lone battle for Pakistan in a one-sided contest with a knock of 81 before her team was bowled out for 159 in reply to India’s 247 at the R Premadasa Stadium on Sunday. Pakistan lost the match by 88 runs.

“Sidra was found to have breached Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to ‘abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match’,” the ICC said in a media release.

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The incident occurred in the 40th over of Pakistan’s chase when she “forcefully hit her bat onto the pitch” after being dismissed by Sneh Rana.

“In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to her disciplinary record, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period,” the ICC said.

“Sidra admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Shandré Fritz of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing,” it added.

The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Lauren Agenbag and Nimali Perera along with third umpire Kerrin Klaaste and fourth umpire Kim Cotton.

“Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points,” the ICC said.