Will New Zealand's Toss Decision Impact India's Performance in Women's World Cup?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Jemimah Rodrigues returns to strengthen India's batting lineup.
- New Zealand aims to capitalize on their choice to bowl first.
- Both teams are under pressure to win to maintain their World Cup hopes.
- Pitch conditions may improve under lights, influencing the match's outcome.
- Captains express confidence in their respective strategies.
Navi Mumbai, Oct 23 (NationPress) India has made a strategic change by including Jemimah Rodrigues in their lineup as New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl first in Match 24 of the ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025 at the D.Y Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Thursday.
Jemimah replaced Amanjot Kaur, marking the only adjustment in the Indian squad following their recent loss to England in Indore. Meanwhile, the White Ferns opted to maintain their unchanged team.
New Zealand's captain Sophie Devine expressed confidence that the pitch would remain consistent in the latter part of the match and might even improve under the lights. She noted that her team has been training rigorously and believes in their preparation. With two of their previous matches being washed out, Devine acknowledged that the team is eager to get back to batting.
In contrast, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur mentioned that the pitch looks promising and presents an excellent chance for her team to post a competitive score, especially with an extra batter in the lineup.
Although disappointed with the outcomes of their earlier games, Kaur emphasized the need to savor the experience and play well. She pointed out that India has been getting good starts but needs to capitalize on these opportunities, and today is pivotal.
Both teams are under pressure to secure a win. If India triumphs today, they will clinch a semifinal spot, whereas New Zealand will still have to wait for the final league matches. A victory against India, however, would significantly boost their chances.
Playing XIs:
Teams:
India: Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani
New Zealand: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (c), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze (wk), Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Eden Carson, Lea Tahuhu