India Women Face New Zealand in Crucial Warm-Up Match Ahead of World Cup

BENGALURU, India — The India Women’s cricket team is set to take on New Zealand Women in their second warm-up match for the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. The match will be held at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground today, September 27, at 3 p.m. IST.

India is looking to bounce back after a disappointing start to their warm-up campaign, having lost to England in their first match. The team struggled with their batting, scoring only 187 runs while chasing a target of 341 against England. Key players Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, and Pratika Rawal were absent, revealing vulnerabilities within the squad.

Adding to the team’s woes, bowler Arundhati Reddy suffered a leg injury during the match and did not return to the field. In contrast, New Zealand also lost their opening warm-up match against India A, where Shafali Verma showcased her batting prowess with a robust score of 70 runs.

“Every match is important as we build towards the main event,” India coach said. “We need to work on our strategies and execution.” Shafali’s performance is crucial as she missed out on the World Cup squad despite her success in domestic tournaments.

While today’s matchup will not be broadcast on TV in India, fans can catch the highlights on the JioHotstar app and website. The ICC Women’s World Cup kicks off on September 30, featuring eight competitive teams, including India and New Zealand.

With conditions favoring subcontinental teams, spectators are eager to witness how both sides adjust their strategies ahead of the World Cup. Both teams must find their form quickly, testing players and combinations that could make a difference in the tournament.

As the clock ticks down to match time, cricket enthusiasts anticipate a gripping contest that may offer a glimpse into the teams’ potential for the upcoming World Cup.