An electric atmosphere is building in Visakhapatnam as defending champions Australia take on host nation India in one of the most anticipated clashes of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 on Sunday, October 12. The match will begin at 3:00 PM local time (09:30 GMT) at the Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, with all 15,087 tickets already sold out well in advance.
Both teams entered the tournament as top contenders, but Australia currently hold the edge as the only undefeated side so far, having navigated tricky situations to win all their completed group-stage matches. India, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back quickly after a stunning three-wicket loss to South Africa on Thursday — their first defeat of the tournament.
Australian captain Alyssa Healy described the India-Australia rivalry as one that “continues to grow,” calling India “the sleeping giant of women’s cricket.” She credited the Women’s Premier League for strengthening India’s talent pool and tactical clarity.
India’s Sneh Rana said the team has regrouped after the loss and is focused on executing plans against one of the “strongest competitors.” She reminded fans that India have beaten Australia before, including in the 2017 World Cup semifinal and in their recent bilateral series.
India’s top-order batting is under scrutiny, especially star opener Smriti Mandhana, who has scored just 54 runs in three innings despite a stellar run earlier in the year. Wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh currently leads India’s batting charts in this tournament with 131 runs.
Australia, with their formidable depth, are expected to bring Sophie Molineux back into the XI, while India may consider a pace swap, potentially bringing in Renuka Singh Thakur.
Head-to-head record clearly favors Australia: out of 59 ODIs between the two sides, Australia have won 48, compared to India’s 11. However, home conditions, a passionate crowd, and past upsets keep this clash wide open.
With World Cup momentum and bragging rights at stake, Sunday’s match promises high drama, world-class cricket, and a defining moment in the growing rivalry between the two powerhouses of the women’s game.