INDW vs NZW, ICC Women's World Cup 2025 LIVE: What India and NZ need to do to qualify for the semis?

India, with 4 points and a +0.526 NRR, needs to win both remaining matches, while New Zealand, also on 4 points but with -0.245 NRR. Here is what both teams need to qualify for semis.

Harmanpreet Kaur during the practice session. Image | ICC on X

Koushik Biswas

Last Updated: 01.55 PM, Oct 23, 2025

The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 is reaching a thrilling climax, with Australia, England, and South Africa already securing their semi-final berths. The spotlight now turns to the intense battle for the final semi-final spot among India, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. The upcoming clash between India Women (INDW) and New Zealand Women (NZW) on Thursday is pivotal, holding massive implications for both teams' chances of progressing further in the tournament.

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India’s path to the semi-finals

India lost the previous three games despite Smriti Mandhana scoring runs at the top of the order. Image | BCCI Women

India enter this must-win contest with 4 points and a solid net run rate (NRR) of +0.526. The Indian team’s best opportunity to secure a semi-final spot is to win both of their remaining matches — first against New Zealand and then against Bangladesh.

A victory over New Zealand alone would be crucial and could be enough to ensure qualification, even if India lose their final group game versus Bangladesh.

Winning against New Zealand would put India at 6 points with three wins, potentially the highest unique tally in the group if the subsequent results land favorably.

If India manage to beat New Zealand but lose to Bangladesh, their superior number of wins and positive NRR would still likely see them through, given tournament rules prioritize the number of wins first, then NRR.

However, if India lose to New Zealand, they will need to win their final game against Bangladesh and then hope England defeats New Zealand to have any hope of qualifying.

Losing both matches will mean India’s World Cup journey ends in the group stage.

New Zealand’s qualification scenarios

Amelia Kerr during the training. Image | ICC on X

New Zealand currently sit on 4 points as well, but with a lower NRR of -0.245. The White Ferns’ path to the semi-finals depends heavily on their performance in the remaining fixtures against India and England.

Winning both matches – against India and then against England – will give New Zealand 8 points, comfortably securing the fourth semi-final slot.

If New Zealand beat India but lose to England, they will rely on other results, particularly Bangladesh beating India in the final round to close the points gap.

In such a scenario, New Zealand would need their NRR to stay ahead of Sri Lanka or hope for Pakistan to upset Sri Lanka in the last group stage match.

Losing to India would seriously dent their chances, making the match against England the final lifeline.

Where to watch the INDW vs NZW, ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 match online?

Indian cricket team fans can watch the INDW vs NZW, ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 match LIVE on JioHotstar, accessible via OTTplay Premium.

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