India have made wholesale changes in their playing 11 for the high-octane Women’s World Cup 2025 semi-final against Australia at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Thursday.

One change was forced — Shafali Verma came in for Pratika Rawal, who picked up a serious ankle injury in the league stage match against Bangladesh. Shafali wasn’t originally in the team’s squad but was included after it was confirmed that Rawal wouldn’t be able to take part in the semi-final and the prospective final.

The other two seem tactical, even though captain Harmanpreet Kaur called them ‘rest’ — players aren’t usually given a break for the biggest match of the tournament — at the toss. Wicketkeeper Uma Chetry made way for the first-choice Richa Ghosh, who missed the last match due to injury, and Harleen D

See Full Page