Sneh Rana Highlights Positives, Prepares India for Upcoming Women’s World Cup Match

Indian all-rounder Sneh Rana emphasised the resilience and unity of the Women’s World Cup team, asserting that their character shines through adversity as they prepare to face seven-time champions Australia on Sunday. Speaking at a pre-match press conference, the 31-year-old off-spinner reflected on India’s turbulent tournament journey, particularly their recent three-wicket loss to South Africa on Thursday, which left them third in Group A with two points from three games. “When things don’t go your way, it defines the character of everyone. Bouncing back together is important,” Rana said, highlighting the team’s ability to regroup and focus on positives despite setbacks.

Rana expressed confidence in India’s ability to challenge Australia, the top-ranked side with an unbeaten record in the 2025 tournament, drawing on past victories, including a historic 2021 ODI series win. “They are definitely the strongest competitor, but we are going with a positive mindset. We have defeated them before,” she noted, underscoring meticulous planning and high team morale. India’s top order, including Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, has struggled, managing just one fifty-plus score collectively in three matches. However, Rana downplayed concerns, stating, “We have some of the best batters in the world. It’s just a matter of time before they come back.” She highlighted ongoing efforts to improve strike rotation and individual skills, with players addressing specific weaknesses in training.

The all-rounder’s own contributions have been pivotal, notably an 88-run seventh-wicket stand with Richa Ghosh against South Africa, lifting India from 102 for six to a competitive 251. Rana credited months of work on her batting, particularly hard-hitting cameos, for such rescue acts. “I’ve been preparing for these situations,” she said, emphasising her role as a lower-order stabiliser. On bowling, she praised the unit’s adaptability, despite conceding 22 runs in the final five overs against South Africa, and remained non-committal on adding a sixth bowler like Pratika Rawal or captain Harmanpreet Kaur, stating, “Our bowlers have dragged matches to the last over, showing they’ve adapted.”

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The match, set for October 12 at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium, is critical for India’s semi-final hopes in the 2025 Women’s World Cup, co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India. Australia, led by Alyssa Healy, has dominated with three wins, including a 91-run thrashing of New Zealand, making them favourites. India’s bowling, spearheaded by Renuka Singh (five wickets) and Deepti Sharma, will face a stern test against Australia’s top order, including Beth Mooney and Ellyse Perry, on a pitch favouring spin. Rana’s optimism reflects India’s resolve to upset the odds, with a win potentially securing a top-four finish in the eight-team group stage.

Live Score Update (End of Day, October 11, 2025): In a concurrent Group A match, England posted 253/9 (Nat Sciver-Brunt 117; Inoka Ranaweera 3/33) against Sri Lanka, who were 64/2 after 15 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 28*, Harshitha Samarawickrama 12*; Sophie Ecclestone 1/18) at the latest update, chasing 254.

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