The highly-anticipated India vs Australia Women’s World Cup semi-final in Navi Mumbai is under a serious rain cloud, raising concerns among fans about a potential washout. Heavy showers lashed parts of Mumbai on Thursday morning, with a yellow rain alert issued and thunderstorms expected during the match window, according to AccuWeather.
Reserve Day Rules
If rain interrupts play, the ICC has a clear rulebook:
| Scenario | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Match washed out today | Reserve day will be used (Friday) |
| Match washed out on reserve day too | Australia qualify for the final |
Australia hold the advantage because they beat India earlier in the group stage and finished higher on the points table — meaning India must play to progress, while Australia advance if rain wins.
Stakes: Final Spot on the Line
The winner of this clash will face the South Africa in Sunday’s final (November 2).
India
India face a setback with opener Pratika Rawal ruled out due to an ankle injury suffered against Bangladesh.
The surprise twist? Shafali Verma returns to the ODI fold after more than a year and is expected to open with Smriti Mandhana, giving India a dynamic power-start option.
Bowling-wise, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur must choose between:
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Extra bowler for early swing at DY Patil
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Additional batter for depth
Renuka Thakur leads the pace attack, with Radha Yadav, Sneh Rana, and Sree Charani competing for spin roles.
Australia
Big boost for the Aussies: captain Alyssa Healy is fit after recovering from a calf strain. She trained fully on Wednesday and is set to return, though wicketkeeping duties may still fall to Beth Mooney.
Sophie Molineux may come in for Georgia Wareham, strengthening the spin department in potentially sticky conditions.
Why DY Patil Weather Matters
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Overcast conditions → swing for seamers early
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Pitch expected to remain batting-friendly later
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Dew could aid chasing team if match extends into night
The Bottom Line
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India must play to qualify
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Australia go through in case of washout across both days
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Rain has already disrupted the tournament — Thursday and Friday could determine more than just cricketing skill
Fans, teams, and tournament officials will be watching the skies as closely as the players.
