Rain washes out India’s final group game, while England dominate New Zealand to climb to second spot
The final day of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 league stage brought mixed emotions — with India’s clash against Bangladesh abandoned due to rain in Navi Mumbai, while England produced a clinical eight-wicket win over New Zealand to wrap up their campaign in style.
Rain Denies India Momentum Before Semi-Final
Persistent showers at the Dr. DY Patil Stadium forced India’s last group-stage match against Bangladesh to be called off, leaving both sides to share points.
The result confirmed India’s fourth-place finish on the table with seven points from as many matches, setting up a semi-final showdown against top-ranked Australia on October 30. Bangladesh, meanwhile, finished seventh, just above Pakistan.
Chasing a revised DLS target of 126 in 27 overs, India were cruising at 57/0 in 8.4 overs when rain intervened. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Amanjot Kaur had given the hosts a flying start before play was abandoned.
Earlier, India’s bowlers dominated after Bangladesh were put in to bat, restricting them to 119/9 in 27 overs.
- Radha Yadav, playing her first match of the tournament, impressed with 3/30, while
- Sree Charani (2/23), Deepti Sharma, Renuka Singh Thakur, and Amanjot Kaur took a wicket each.
Radha’s dismissal of Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana Joty proved pivotal as India ran through the middle and lower order, reducing Bangladesh from 91/3 to 117/9.
However, India suffered a slight concern when opener Pratika Rawal was forced off the field with an injury.
England Crush New Zealand to Finish Second
Earlier in the day at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, England capped off the group stage with a commanding eight-wicket victory over New Zealand, overtaking South Africa to finish second with 11 points.
Chasing 169, England cruised home thanks to Amy Jones’ unbeaten 86 and partnerships that underlined their batting depth. Jones and Tammy Beaumont (40) added 75 for the first wicket, followed by an 83-run stand with skipper Heather Knight (33) that sealed the result with ease.
For New Zealand, Leah Tahuhu and Sophie Devine — playing her final ODI — picked up one wicket each.
England Spinners Run Riot
Earlier, England’s spin attack dismantled New Zealand’s batting line-up after they had recovered to 89/1 through a solid partnership between Georgia Plimmer and Amelia Kerr (68-run stand).
Once that stand was broken, New Zealand collapsed spectacularly — losing nine wickets for just 79 runs, their lowest total of the tournament.
- Linsey Smith (3/30) led the charge, supported by
- Alice Capsey (2/31), Charlie Dean (1/21), and Sophie Ecclestone (1/4).
Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt also chipped in with 2/34.
The match also marked an emotional farewell for Devine, whose illustrious career with the White Ferns came to an end.
England, however, were briefly concerned when Ecclestone left the field after suffering a shoulder injury while fielding. She later returned to take the wicket of Brooke Halliday before exiting again as a precaution ahead of the semifinals.
CWC25 Semi-Final Fixtures
- October 29: England vs South Africa – ACA Stadium, Guwahati
- October 30: Australia vs India – Dr. DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai
India and England Turn Focus to Knockouts
With the group stage complete, the focus now shifts to the high-stakes semi-finals. India will aim to recover from rain frustration and build on their strong bowling form, while England’s dominant win reaffirms their credentials as serious contenders for the title.