Women's World Cup Qualification Scenario: India will reach the semi-finals despite losing to England, here's the equation

India’s Semi-Final Hopes Still Alive Despite Narrow Loss to England in Women’s World Cup 2025

Even after suffering a close 4-run defeat to England in Indore, Team India’s dream of reaching the Women’s World Cup 2025 semi-finals is far from over. Though the loss has added pressure, the qualification door is still open—if India can make the most of their remaining opportunities. Let’s take a detailed look at how the scenario stands and what India must do next to stay in contention.

India’s Qualification Chances: The Road Ahead

After three consecutive defeats—against South Africa, Australia, and now England—India’s campaign has reached a critical stage. With four points from five matches, India currently holds the fourth position on the points table. New Zealand also has four points, but their net run rate is slightly lower than India’s, giving Harmanpreet Kaur’s side a narrow edge.

The equation is simple now: India must win both their remaining matches to secure a semi-final spot without depending on other results. The upcoming games against New Zealand and Bangladesh are now virtual knockouts. Victories in both fixtures will take India to eight points, a total that should guarantee qualification for the semi-finals.

However, a single slip could complicate matters.

What If India Loses One of the Remaining Matches?

If India wins only one of their next two matches, their qualification will no longer be in their own hands. In that case, India will have to rely on New Zealand losing their last fixture—and will also need to boost their net run rate with a big win.

Simply put, the situation has turned into a do-or-die scenario. The margin of defeat against England means India can’t afford another setback. Every run and every wicket in the coming matches will be crucial in determining whether the team can progress to the knockout stage.

How England Edged Out India in Indore

The clash at Indore’s Holkar Stadium was a thriller that went down to the wire. Batting first, England posted an impressive 288 runs in 50 overs. Captain Heather Knight led from the front with a magnificent 109 off just 91 balls, while wicketkeeper Amy Jones contributed a valuable 56.

India’s bowling attack showed flashes of brilliance—Deepti Sharma was the pick of the bowlers with 4 wickets, while Shreyanka Patil claimed 2 crucial scalps.

Chasing 289, India started strongly. Smriti Mandhana anchored the innings with a fluent 88, while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur scored 70 and Deepti Sharma added a quick 50. The chase looked on track, but a flurry of rash shots in the final overs turned the game on its head. India eventually fell short by just four runs, a heartbreak given how close they came to victory.

Lessons and Next Steps

Despite the defeat, India’s performance showed plenty of positives. The top order fired well, and the bowlers managed to restrict England from crossing the 300-run mark. What let the team down were the middle-order collapses and lapses in shot selection under pressure.

For India to advance, consistency and composure will be key. Harmanpreet Kaur and her players need to regroup quickly, focus on playing fearless yet calculated cricket, and convert strong starts into match-winning finishes.

With the Women’s World Cup 2025 entering its decisive phase, fans will be watching anxiously as India battles to keep its semi-final dream alive. A pair of commanding wins could not only revive India’s campaign but also restore confidence in their pursuit of glory on the global stage.