India’s Women Eye Redemption Against Australia After 2017 Heartbreak, Says Saba Karim

India's women's cricket team is gearing up for a high-stakes clash against seven-time champions Australia in the second semi-final of the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 on October 31, 2025, with opener Smriti Mandhana and the batting unit receiving pivotal tactical advice from former India wicketkeeper Saba Karim. The match, set to determine the second finalist after New Zealand's earlier victory, offers India a chance to reach their third World Cup final, having fallen short in 2005 and 2017. Karim, speaking on Star Sports, emphasised Australia's potential unease, noting the subcontinent side's capacity to exploit the hosts' bowling vulnerabilities in a knockout scenario. This encounter revives memories of the league stage thriller where Australia chased down India's 330 with three wickets in hand, underscoring the need for sharper execution from Harmanpreet Kaur's squad.

Karim highlighted India's batting prowess as a key weapon, suggesting the team could outscore Australia if they unleash their "A-game". "They are a team that has created a big gap between them and the other teams. Although, if I am in the Australian dressing room, they will be worried about playing against India—and that too in a knockout match—the one team that threatens Australia a little," he observed. He pointed out Australia's depth in bowlers but lack of cutting edge, positioning India uniquely to capitalise. The former keeper-batter's insights draw from India's recent form, where Mandhana's elegant strokeplay and Kaur's middle-order stability have dismantled defences, contrasting Australia's reliance on pace spearheads like Megan Schutt amid occasional inconsistencies.

Central to Karim's strategy is a robust powerplay, advising the openers—particularly Mandhana, the tournament's leading run-scorer with over 500 runs—to build a formidable platform. "If India takes the lead in the first 10 or 15 overs, if a wicket doesn't fall, and India scores even close to 50 without loss in 10 overs, a platform will be created. Then Australia's anxiety levels will mount even more," he explained.

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This approach leverages the batting-friendly pitches at the venue, where boundaries flow freely and dimensions favour aggressive shot-making. Karim stressed adapting run rates early, accelerating strategically, and refining selections based on ground specifics—lessons from the league encounter where India's total proved insufficient against Australia's chase led by Beth Mooney.

The semi-final amplifies historical rivalries, with Australia holding a dominant 30-15 head-to-head record in ODIs, yet India's evolution under coach Amol Muzumdar has instilled belief in upsets. Mandhana, fresh off a century against South Africa, embodies the calculated aggression Karim endorses, while all-rounders like Deepti Sharma add balance. As global audiences tune in, this bout could redefine women's cricket narratives, testing Australia's aura against India's rising tenacity. A win would propel India toward redemption and a shot at their maiden title, cementing the current generation's legacy in the sport's pantheon.

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