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Harmanpreet Kaur and co - (Source : AFP)
On Sunday, October 19, in the do-or-die Women's World Cup match for India against England, the Women in Blue failed to clinch an important win and suffered a narrow four-run defeat. With the loss, India are still placed fourth on the points table, but the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side are on the brink of elimination with just two wins in five matches. Notably, India suffered their third consecutive defeat and have 4 points in five matches.
Now with just two matches left in the campaign for India, this article will shed light on qualification scenarios for the Women in Blue.
Women's World Cup points table and India's remaining fixtures
Source: Crex
India's remaining fixtures
- India women vs New Zealand women - October 23
- India women vs Bangladesh women - October 26
How can India qualify for Women's World Cup 2025?
Scenario 1
First and foremost, India need to win both their games to stay alive in the tournament. If India goes on to win their remaining games against New Zealand and Bangladesh, then they will have 8 points in seven matches and qualify for the semis, as the rest of the teams below India at this point won't be able to surpass the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side in the points tally.
Scenario 2
If India win of their remaining games, then they will be alive in the tournament but will have to depend on other teams for qualification. If the Women in Blue win against New Zealand and lose to Bangladesh, then they will finish with six points and can only qualify in the fourth place.
For them to do so, India need to pray that New Zealand women lose to England women in their last game and finish the points table with six points in seven matches, same as India. Further, India need to make sure that they beat Bangladesh with a high margin and have a better net run-rate to finish fourth and qualify with six points.
Thus, it is fair to say that India's upcoming match against New Zealand women is a virtual knockout match.
Scenario 3
Also, if India beat New Zealand and lose to Bangladesh, then they need to pray that the white ferns suffer a defeat against England women so that New Zealand finish on just four points, while India qualify with six points.
