Women's World Cup 2025: How can India still qualify for semifinals?

The Indian Women's Cricket team has played four matches so far in their campaign at the ongoing Women's ODI World Cup. And, they are in a somewhat risky position. Starting with two wins, followed by two setbacks, India stands on the brink of the top four, eyeing a qualification through the knockout stage. 

Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, the 'Women in Blue' still have a chance to make it to the semifinals with three matches still in hand. While Australia has already taken a seat in the knockouts, England is also racing behind, followed by South Africa, all set to go. 

Now, India is head-to-head with New Zealand in their next match to move ahead in the qualification race. Here is a glance at what the qualification scenarios would be for Team India: 

After four games, India has four points in its kitty. While New Zealand is just a spot below with three points in four games, due to a washout. Both teams will first face England and Pakistan, respectively, before they take on one another. India's last fixture will be against Bangladesh, while New Zealand will face England in its last. 

The first, most straightforward, and a no-risk situation for India to qualify for the semis is to win all three upcoming matches against England, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. This will make up to five wins with 10 points in hand and a spot in the semifinals, that too, without any dependency on other teams. 

If India beats New Zealand, then winning two matches will also do, without an NRR calculation. Even losing to England won't matter enough if it manages to beat the Kiwis. But, if it's the opposite, then the chances of a semifinal spot might decline. 

If India loses both of its next fixtures against England and New Zealand, then things will turn worse. They will largely depend on Pakistan to beat New Zealand, and then England beat New Zealand again. This means that New Zealand will also have to lose. 

It will all be okay unless India and New Zealand match up to one another in the upcoming matches. And, it will be even simpler if India beats New Zealand in that particular contest, irrespective of whatever happens next. Whoever wins shall overpower the other. In the last match, India will face Bangladesh, which would be easy, while New Zealand will have a tough scene out there against England.

Here is the schedule of the Women's Indian Cricket Team: 

19th October 2025 (Sunday): India vs England (3:00 PM, Indore)

23rd October 2025 (Thursday): India vs New Zealand (3:00 PM, Navi Mumbai)

26th October 2025 (Sunday): India vs Bangladesh (3:00 PM, Navi Mumbai)

Semi-Finals 1 and 2, followed by the Final, are subject to qualification.