Women's World Cup 2025: "Australia will definitely be worried about that" - Former India selector previews AUS vs IND semifinal
"Our batting is so fantastic that if India bring their A-game on the ground as a batting unit, there is a huge possibility that India could outbat Australia," ex-India wicketkeeper Saba Karim opined.
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Former India selector Saba Karim acknowledged the strength of the Australian team ahead of the Women's World Cup 2025 semi-final against India on Thursday, October 30, at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. However, he believes that Harmanpreet Kaur and Co. can give the defending champions a run for their money if the batters can play to the best of their abilities. The former wicketkeeper opined that the Australian bowling lineup lacks sharpness.
India and Australia faced each other earlier in the tournament, where the Women in Blue posted 330 in 48.5 overs. While they had a commendable total on the board, Alyssa Healy played a captain's knock to help her team chase the target in 49 overs with three wickets to spare.
"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," the former India wicketkeeper-batter responded after being asked about the semi-final on Star Sports.
"Our batting is so fantastic that if India bring their A-game on the ground as a batting unit, there is a huge possibility that India could outbat Australia. Australia have many bowlers, but they lack sharpness, and only one team can take advantage of that, and that's India. The Australian team will definitely be worried about that," he added.
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Karim said that the Australian team will become anxious if they fail to pick up wickets early against the home side.
"If India take the lead in the first 10 or 15 overs, if a wicket doesn't fall, and India score even close to 50 without loss in 10 overs, a platform will be created. Then Australia's anxiety levels will mount even more. You have many bowlers, you might keep rotating them, but the wicket is very conducive for batting," he said.
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Karim also mentioned that India's experience of playing in Navi Mumbai will stand them in good stead against the Aussies.
"India have experience of how to score runs on this wicket, what should be the style of run-getting, and when you need to accelerate. You know the ground dimensions and you can improve your shot selection accordingly. So all these will be massive factors for India, and Australia will be worried about them. India will have to work on that fear," Saba observed.
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