Rain could have the final say in India's most important match of the Women's ODI World Cup 2025. The semi-final between India and Australia, scheduled for October 30 at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, faces a major weather threat.
With the last group-stage match between India and Bangladesh already interrupted by rain, fans are anxious about what happens if bad weather strikes again during the knockout. Here is how the ICC rules handle such a scenario and what it means for India's chances.
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Rain threat over IND-W vs AUS-W semi-final
The weather forecast for Navi Mumbai doesn't look promising. According to AccuWeather, there is a 69% chance of rain on match day, with overcast skies expected throughout the match.
The temperature is likely to hover around 32°C, but the real worry is the possibility of repeated interruptions, just like in India's previous match at the same venue, which was reduced to 27 overs per side.
ICC rules on reserve day for semi-finals
As per the ICC's playing conditions, both semi-finals and the final have a reserve day. If rain prevents the match from finishing on October 30, play will continue on October 31 from the point where it was stopped.
However, the umpires will still aim to complete the game on the scheduled day first by using all available extra time and reducing overs if needed. For a valid result, both teams must have the chance to bat for at least 20 overs.
If that's not possible on the main day, play automatically shifts to the reserve day.
Who will reach the final if IND-W vs AUS-W semi-final match is washed out?
If rain ruins play on both days, the semi-final will be declared a no result. In that case, the team that finished higher in the group stage automatically advances to the final.
Since Australia topped the league table and India finished fourth, the defending champions would progress to the Women's World Cup 2025 final if the semi-final is washed out without a result.
The same rule applies to the other semi-final between England and South Africa. If that match is also abandoned, England, who finished higher on the points table will move directly to the final.
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