'Sleeping giants' hope to give Australia a wake-up call

A rainy Thursday in Derby eight years ago showcased two things: that Australia aren't unbeatable even in their most dominant streak, and what it takes to achieve that. Since that Harmanpreet Kaur-inspired embarrassment, Australia remain unbeaten in ODI World Cups and India win-less against all other semifinalists of the 2025 edition. But history has a way of tempting fate, and on what's shaping up to another gloomy Thursday (October 30), India would be chasing the impossible once more.

Australia's numbers this World Cup cycle speak for themselves: a staggering 26-4 win-loss record (1 no-result) with only one defeat to India across nine games in three series. But zoom in to see how close India have been to challenging their invincibility in this decade alone. Australia need no reminder that their historic 26-match winning streak was brought to a screeching halt, at home no less, by a plucky India. Most recently, Smriti Mandhana-led batting handed them their biggest loss in their ODI history. It isn't without reason that Alyssa Healy has labelled India as "sleeping giants".

But at the cusp of World Cup knockouts, all of those records, streaks and tags fade into irrelevance.

It hasn't exactly been smooth sailing for the defending champions as their reputation suggests. Two scrappy wins and a washout left them looking vulnerable before they rediscovered their rhythm, and skipper Healy's touch, ironically against India. For the hosts, it's been a rollercoaster of emotions with pressure and expectations only mounting. Their two streaky wins were followed by three stinging losses from winning positions - one apiece to the other semifinalists - and had their campaign hanging by a thread until they found solace in New Zealand's misery, and on a familiar turf.

India did get the advantage of inhabiting the ground - literally and figuratively - for the last 10 days. Yet, it's a venue Australia know just as well, between WPL classics and Super Over thrillers in sold-out bilateral meetings. The switch to a different white-ball format at the venue also didn't take long for India - they produced a near-perfect game to rise above their challenges and secure the semis spot. Two days later, however, they no longer were in a position to retain that winning combination after a freak injury put a premature end to Pratika Rawal's campaign.

With that twist of fate emerged another narrative, of Shafali Verma's recall. The Haryana opener, who was left on the sidelines ahead of a home World Cup ironically due to Rawal's consistency, now finds herself at crossroads of redemption not just for herself, but perhaps for India too.

When: Thursday, October 30 at 3 PM IST

Where: DY Patil Cricket Stadium, Navi Mumbai

What to expect: The pitch marked for the game is the same one where Sri Lanka played Bangladesh right at the start of the Navi Mumbai leg, and looks set to be a batters' paradise. The rain forecast for the day has cleared up significantly.

Head-to-Head: Australia lead 49-11 in the 60-game rivalry, with a 11-3 record in World Cups. Australia have only lost two ODIs to India since the 2017 epic.

Team News

India: Shafali for Rawal is a straight swap. Besides that, if the hosts can find a spot for Amanjot Kaur to return in the only change to the XI from their game against New Zealand they'll have their strongest XI on paper with adequate batting and bowling depth to challenge Australia.

Probable XI: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harleen Deol/Amanjot Kaur, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaud, Sree Charani, Renuka Thakur

Australia: The Australian captain opted out of an optional session on match eve. However, with Healy's return all but confirmed, the defending champions should revert to their first-choice XI - the one that beat India in the league game.

Probable XI: Alyssa Healy (c/wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Kim Garth, Alana King, Megan Schutt

Did you know?

- Ashleigh Gardner is the top-ranked all-rounder, second-ranked batter and third-ranked bowler in ODIs currently

- Pacers have claimed only 14 wickets at DY Patil in the three World Cup matches as compared to the 22 that went to slower bowlers

- Smriti Mandhana has hit the most fours (40) and most sixes (8) for India this World Cup

What they said:

"I've played against Australia many times, so it's not something new for me. I know their bowlers and their styles. I'll back my strengths, and yes, they'll come hard at us - but we've prepared a lot and everyone's in touch. Hopefully, we'll perform well. We're focused on doing well, and if we do that, of course, we'll win" - Shafali Verma, India batter, on the Australia hurdle in front of them

"Oh, a huge crowd factor! We played that T20 here with a Super Over and it was a packed house and the atmosphere was probably something that we haven't experienced before. So, we certainly think that's going to be new for some players, but it's also exciting and it's something that we're looking forward to embracing. [The atmosphere] is going to play a big role but that's something that we've sort of wanted to lean into... It's a matter of enjoying and making the most of it." - Shelly Nitschke, Australia head coach, on how crucial a factor the sold-out stadium could be