India Women vs New Zealand Women | ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, 2025 | Match 24

‘In the game of life, as in cricket, it’s not the good starts, but the strong finishes that count.’ Those words by an old philosopher could very well define where this World Cup stands right now. As we step into the business end of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, things are heating up faster than a Mumbai afternoon. And here we go again - India Women vs New Zealand Women - a match that could decide who stays alive and who fades away. It’s the 24th match of the tournament, and both teams have everything to gain, everything to lose, and absolutely no room for ‘what ifs’. Now let’s rewind the campaigns of both teams a bit - what a ride it’s been! India began with flair, stumbled in the middle, and are now looking to sprint towards the finish line. New Zealand, on the other hand, have been stuck in weather woes - two of their five matches washed away - yet they’re still hanging in there with spirit and spark. The tournament’s final playoff spot is slipping through fingers, and this clash at DY Patil Stadium feels like destiny’s decider. Will India consolidate their position? Or will the White Ferns rise from the rain and ruin the party? So, how has India’s campaign shaped up so far? Well, in a nutshell - vibrant starts, mid-tournament blues, and flashes of brilliance. They’ve beaten Sri Lanka and Pakistan convincingly, but the heartbreaks against South Africa, Australia, and England hurt. Smriti Mandhana has been her usual elegant self - 222 runs at an excellent strike rate, while Richa Ghosh’s 171 runs at a blazing 126 strike rate have added the fireworks so far. But where’s the captain’s magic? Harmanpreet Kaur has shown glimpses, but fans are still waiting for that one big knock. And what about Deepti Sharma? Oh, she’s been golden - 13 wickets already, the highest in the tournament! India will hope she keeps that rhythm going. And what of the Kiwis, you ask? Ah, the White Ferns - brave but bruised. Their record shows just one win, but don’t let that fool you. Sophie Devine has been divine - 260 runs with a century, averaging more than 86. Amelia Kerr’s consistency with both bat and ball keeps them afloat, while Brooke Halliday adds steel in the middle order. Their issue? The top order collapses faster than a house of cards when Suzie Bates falls early. But if they click together - beware, India! The Kiwis are dangerous when desperate. Can New Zealand’s bowlers stop India’s power hitters? That’s the million-dollar question! Lea Tahuhu’s pace - 9 wickets so far - and Jess Kerr’s swing could trouble India’s openers early on. Add Amelia Kerr’s sharp leg-spin, and the challenge grows trickier. But DY Patil’s pitch has been a batter’s paradise lately. So, do the Kiwis risk going short against Mandhana and Ghosh? Or do they play the waiting game? Choices, choices! India’s bowling attack, though, has been a refreshing mix of spin, skill, and surprises. Deepti Sharma is the heart, but watch out for Sree Charani - 8 wickets with control and calm. Sneha Rana, the all-rounder queen, chips in whenever the team needs a spark. But yes, India’s death bowling - still an area that screams for improvement. Will they finally fix that? If they can hold their nerves in the final overs, they might just edge ahead. Let’s know about head-to-heads! Historically, New Zealand lead India 34-22 in ODIs, but hold on - India won their last series 2-1. So, who really has the upper hand? Well, India have the form, New Zealand have the firepower. Smriti vs Tahuhu, Devine vs Deepti, Amelia Kerr vs Mandhana - these are not just duels, they’re stories waiting to explode. Now, about the conditions - the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai is known for its true bounce and quick outfield. Expect runs, lots of them! The toss will be key because dew could make the ball behave like a bar of soap in the second innings. Will teams chase? Probably! Will we get another high-scoring thriller? Hopefully! So, what’s at stake? Everything! For India, a win keeps them in the driver’s seat for the semis. For New Zealand, it’s survival mode - win, or wave goodbye to the World Cup dream. Who will blink first? Who will rise the brightest? The answer - we’ll find out soon.