Rain Plays Spoilsport as India’s World Cup Finale Washes Out
Navi Mumbai: The final league match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup between hosts India Women and Bangladesh Women at the Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai was officially declared a ‘No Result’ on Sunday, October 26, 2025, after incessant and heavy rain repeatedly interrupted play. While the washout was frustrating, a dominant bowling performance and a brisk start to the chase offered positives for India, which were unfortunately overshadowed by a major injury concern just days before their semi-final clash.
Torrential Downpour and DLS Intrusion
The day was plagued by miserable weather, with the toss delayed and the start of play pushed back significantly. After multiple interruptions, the match was eventually truncated to a 27-over-per-side contest. India, having won the toss and elected to field, executed a clinical bowling display, restricting Bangladesh to 119 for 9 in their reduced quota of overs.
The pitch and overhead conditions were perfectly exploited by India’s spin attack, which accounted for five of the nine wickets to fall. The disciplined effort ensured Bangladesh struggled to build any significant momentum, with Sharmin Akhter’s 36 being the top score for the visitors.
Left-Arm Spinners Provide a Selection Headache
The standout performers were the two left-arm spinners, who provided captain Harmanpreet Kaur with a significant selection conundrum ahead of the knockout stage.
- Radha Yadav, playing her first match of the tournament, was exceptional, bamboozling the Bangladesh batters to finish with outstanding figures of 3 wickets for 30 runs from her six overs. Proving her worth not just with the ball but also in the field, she executed a stunning direct-hit run-out to dismiss the dangerous Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty, which triggered a middle-order collapse.
- Fellow left-armer, N Shree Charani, offered brilliant support, chipping in with 2 for 23.
The brilliant performance from the two left-armers now gives the team management an interesting dilemma: who partners the consistent Deepti Sharma in the semi-final, given the potent combination witnessed in this truncated match?
Revised Target and Anxious Start
The Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method was applied to determine India’s target, setting them a modest but tricky chase of 126 runs in 27 overs.
India’s reply got off to a blistering start, driven by the in-form Smriti Mandhana. However, the batting line-up was reshuffled after a frightening incident in the first innings. All-rounder Amanjot Kaur was forced to open alongside Mandhana after regular opener Pratika Rawal suffered a major injury scare. The makeshift opening pair guided India to 57 for no loss in 8.4 overs, with Mandhana unbeaten on 34 runs off 27 balls, as they cruised towards the target.
Major Injury Blow to Star Opener Pratika Rawal
The joy of a solid start to the chase quickly turned into anxiety for the Indian contingent. During the first innings, while fielding at deep mid-wicket, the 25-year-old opener Pratika Rawal landed awkwardly and painfully twisted her knee and ankle on the damp outfield while trying to save a boundary. She had to be helped off the field in visible pain, an immediate cause for alarm.
Reports suggest that Rawal is likely to miss the remainder of the tournament, which would be a colossal blow for the hosts. Rawal has been the team’s second-highest run-scorer, and her powerful century in the previous must-win match against New Zealand was instrumental in securing India’s semi-final spot. Her absence creates a significant selection and tactical vacuum that the team must urgently address before the knockout game.
The match was eventually called off as the rain intensified, leaving India and Bangladesh to share the points.
Focus Shifts to Semi-Final Showdown
The result means India finished fourth in the group stage, securing their berth in the semi-finals. Their next challenge is a formidable one: a high-voltage clash against the unbeaten defending champions, Australia Women.
The second semi-final is scheduled for Thursday, October 30, at 3:00 PM IST at the same venue, the Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The fitness of Pratika Rawal and the final combination of the bowling attack will be the two most pressing decisions for Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and the team management as they prepare to take on the World No. 1 side.
Also read:-Cyclone Montha Unleashes Fury:2025 Andhra Pradesh-Odisha Brace for Devastating Storm Impact
