India vs Australia: Can Hosts Stop Aussie Express in Visakhapatnam?

Australia play India in a big ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 game at Visakhapatnam. With undefeated Australia and a desperate-for-a-rebound India coming off their loss to South Africa, this is a game that will be a true test of tactics, strength, and will.

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Visakhapatnam: The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 moves to the coastal metropolis Visakhapatnam, where a high-voltage game is in prospect. India plays Australia in a match that is more than just another group-stage game. A clash between two titans. One is the defending champion and serial winner, the other, a team searching for rhythm, redemption, and a defining victory on home soil.

For India, this meeting follows a heart wrenching defeat against South Africa. A game they looked set to win until stumbling at the final hurdle. Their bowling frailty in the death overs was exposed that day, yet their mettle was also highlighted, not least by Richa Ghosh’s superb counterattacking innings. Tonight, in their own backyard, under the lights at the ACA-VDCA Stadium, against a side they have already defeated in this series, their captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, will hope to convert heartache into motivation.

Australia, on the other hand, come to Visakhapatnam as champions. They have been undefeated in the tournament till now, sustaining the winning tempo that has characterised their progress in the past several years. Their supremacy in women’s cricket has been almost comprehensive, based on strength, solidity, and that remarkable penchant for getting across from even the most unlikely positions.

A rivalry of unequals, but not unknown

Historically, Australia have had the advantage against India in One Day Internationals, with a gigantic lead in head to head statistics. In 59 ODIs, Australia have won 48 times, with India managing a mere 11 victories. On Australian soil, the game has been even tougher. India has not beaten Australia in an ODI since 2007. But in World Cups, the narrative can be flipped. India has shown, most recently in the 2017 World Cup semi final, that they can find their foot in just the right spot at just the right time.

In recent years, India has begun to chip away at that psychological barrier. Their series earlier this season included a commanding 102-run win over Australia, a result that restored belief in their ability to compete with the best. That memory will be fresh in the minds of both teams as they take the field today.

Also Read: Richa Ghosh and Nadine de Klerk: Two Brave Hearts Illuminate Visakhapatnam’s World Cup Thriller

Pitch, Conditions, and Toss Factor

It is a venue notable for slow, turning wickets. Pacers will get a hint of swing in the early hours, while spinners are set to rule the game further along the line. Dew will be a factor, as the ball will become slippery under lights and can potentially have an impact on the chasing side.

Considering these factors, winning captains can opt to bowl first at the toss. A score around 260 to 270 can prove to be a par score here, but that will largely depend on managing the middle overs, both sides containing good spinners and all-rounders stacked up there.

India’s probable playing eleven will feature Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawalat the top, with Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues and captain Harmanpreet Kaur following them. The middle order, led by wicketkeeper batter Richa Ghosh, will rely on the all rounders Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, and Sneh Rana to find a semblance of equilibrium. The young girls Kranti Gaud and Sree Charani complete a lineup that combines experience with flair.

For Australia, the core remains as formidable as ever. Alyssa Healy will lead both as captain and wicketkeeper, supported by Beth Mooney and Ellyse Perry, the veterans who have been the backbone of Australia’s batting for years. Tahlia McGrath, Ash Gardner, and Annabel Sutherland add immense depth as multi-skilled all-rounders. Phoebe Litchfield, the exciting young batter, brings freshness to the middle order, while the bowling will be spearheaded by Alana King,  Megan Schutt, and Georgia Wareham, a combination that has served Australia well in subcontinental conditions.

Form and Focus

India’s largest strength lies in their batting. Smriti Mandhana’s graceful stroke play and Pratika Rawal’s attacking batting have provided reasonable openings, and Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur provide solidity and experience at the bottom. Richa Ghosh’s form, particularly following her 94 against South Africa, provides solidity to the middle order.

The bowling is still a point of concern. Australia’s batting depth makes them formidable opponents, but India’s bowling attack, diverse, disciplined, and used to home conditions, has the potential to turn the tables. For India to win, their bowlers must not just take wickets but maintain constant pressure. Each over must count. If Deepti Sharma anchors the middle overs, Sneh Rana chips in with breakthroughs, and Kranti Gaud and Aman Jyot execute smartly in the power plays and death, India could finally find the balance needed to stop the champions.

Statistical Outlook and Predictions

Theoretically, Australia has the advantage. Their ODI victory proportion within the previous two years is a robust 80 percent. India has triumphed in about 61 percent of their home matches since 2022. Coincidentally, teams batting second at Visakhapatnam under day-night circumstances have won nearly two thirds of the encounters, a variable that may influence decisions at the toss. Besides Australia’s supremacy, the home ground and spin-dominated Indian bowling assault can tilt the scales somewhat in the home side’s favour, if their batting gets going in unison. If Australia are kept under check in the first 15 overs and the Indian middle order is steady, they have a chance in their right to upset the game. 

Can Australia Be Defeated by India? The sense of invincibility that Australia has maintained for years, based on professionalism and calmness, will have to be tested by India, boosted by a fervent home crowd and a sense of revenge due to their close loss against South Africa. If Smriti Mandhana’s bat glitters, if Deepti Sharma remains calm, and if Harmanpreet Kaur commands with conviction, then India can most certainly manufacture a tournament upset. Visakhapatnam will have a charged environment with tension, colour, and hope. 

As the floodlights are switched on and the first ball is bowled, the question will linger in the salted evening sky: Can India halt the Australian juggernaut at last?