IN-W vs NZ-W Match Preview – The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 has reached a fever pitch as co-hosts India Women (IN-W) prepare to take on New Zealand Women (NZ-W) in a high-stakes, virtual quarter-final. Set to be played at the Dr. D.Y. Patil Sports Academy on Thursday, October 23rd, this match is a must-win for both sides as they battle for the final semi-final spot.
Both India and New Zealand are locked on four points, but their paths to this crucial juncture have been starkly different. India, after a blazing start with two consecutive wins, has hit a major roadblock, slumping to three straight defeats. New Zealand, meanwhile, has had a stop-start campaign, with two crucial matches being washed out, leaving their fate hanging in the balance. With everything on the line, this promises to be a nail-biting encounter, provided the weather plays along.
IN-W vs NZ-W Match Details
| Match | India Women (IN-W) vs New Zealand Women (NZ-W), Match 24 |
| Series | ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 |
| Venue | Dr. D.Y. Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai |
| Date & Time | Thursday, October 23, 2025, 03:00 PM (IST) |
| Live Telecast | JioHotstar |
IN-W vs NZ-W Head-to-Head (ODIs)
Historically, New Zealand has held a clear advantage over India in One-Day Internationals. The White Ferns have won 34 of the 57 encounters, with India winning 22. This statistical edge will give Sophie Devine’s team a psychological boost, but playing in India’s backyard levels the playing field significantly.
| Total Matches | India Women Won | New Zealand Women Won | Tied/No Result |
| 57 | 22 | 34 | 1 |
IN-W vs NZ-W Pitch Report
The surface at the Dr. D.Y. Patil Sports Academy is widely regarded as a batting paradise. The pitch is flat, offers true bounce, and the ball comes onto the bat nicely, making it ideal for high-scoring encounters. While pacers might find a hint of movement with the new ball, the batters will look to dominate. As the game progresses, the track is expected to slow down, bringing the spinners into play. The captain winning the toss will likely opt to bowl first, looking to chase down a target on this excellent batting wicket.
IN-W vs NZ-W Weather Report
The weather forecast for Navi Mumbai on Thursday is a major concern for both teams and fans. There is a high probability of heavy thunderstorms throughout the day, with the chance of precipitation pegged at 75%. Temperatures will be hot and humid, hovering around 36°C. Any significant rain delay or a washout would be a bitter pill to swallow.
Crucially, a washout would favour India. As per tournament rules, if teams are tied on points, the number of wins will be the first tie-breaker. India currently has two wins to New Zealand’s one, meaning a single point from a washout would all but secure India’s semi-final berth.
IN-W vs NZ-W MatchPreview & Team Form
India Women: The hosts are in a precarious position. After dominant wins against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, their campaign has been derailed by losses to South Africa, Australia, and England. The batting, while explosive at the top, has been inconsistent. Opener Smriti Mandhana has been in fine form, but the crucial middle-order partnership of captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues has failed to fire. The team’s hopes will rest on all-rounder Deepti Sharma, who has been sensational with the ball, and the top order finally clicking together.
New Zealand Women: The White Ferns have been victims of the weather, with two washouts hampering their momentum. They secured a solid win against Bangladesh but fell to strong Australian and South African sides. Their campaign has been single-handedly carried by captain Sophie Devine, who is in blistering form. However, the rest of the batting lineup has been inconsistent. The key for them will be to get support for Devine, particularly from stalwarts like Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr. Their pace attack, led by Lea Tahuhu and Jess Kerr, has been potent and will look to rattle India’s top order early.
IN-W vs NZ-W Possible Playing11
India Women (IN-W): Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Renuka Singh, Arundathi Reddy
New Zealand Women (NZ-W): Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine (c), Amelia Kerr, Maddy Green, Georgia Plimmer, Brooke Halliday, Isabella Gaze (wk), Jess Kerr, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson, Rosemary Mair
IN-W vs NZ-W Squads
India Women Squad: Deepti Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Radha Yadav, Harleen Deol, Arundathi Reddy, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Sneh Rana, Richa Ghosh (wk), Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh, Pratika Rawal, Amanjot Kaur, NR-Shree Charani
New Zealand Women Squad: Lea Tahuhu, Maddy Green, Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Amelia Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Jess Kerr, Bree Illing, Brooke Halliday, Georgia Plimmer, Isabella Gaze (wk), Eden Carson, Flora Devonshire, Polly Inglis (wk), Bella James
IN-W vs NZ-W Match Prediction
This is an incredibly tough match to call. India has the home advantage but is crippled by a three-match losing streak. New Zealand has the superior head-to-head record and an in-form captain, but their batting remains over-reliant on her.
The match will be a contest between India’s in-form batters (Mandhana) and all-rounders (Deepti) against New Zealand’s fiery pace attack and the sheer brilliance of Sophie Devine. Given the pressure of a must-win home game and their recent dip in form, the scales tip slightly. However, if India’s middle order can finally provide the support Mandhana needs, they have the depth to win.
The biggest winner, unfortunately, might be the rain. If the weather holds, expect a high-scoring, tense thriller.
Prediction: New Zealand Women to win in a close encounter.
