IN-W vs NZ-W Match Prediction, Preview, Playing11, Pitch and Weather Report

IN-W vs NZ-W Match Preview – In what promises to be one of the most exciting clashes of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, hosts India Women (IN-W) will take on the formidable New Zealand Women (NZ-W) at the Dr. D.Y. Patil Sports Academy. This afternoon-night fixture on October 23rd is critical for both teams as they jostle for a prime position in the race for the semi-finals.

India, playing in front of their passionate home crowd, will be looking to leverage familiar conditions. Their batting lineup, featuring stalwarts like Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur, is one of the most destructive in the tournament. New Zealand, however, brings a wealth of experience and all-round prowess. Led by the legendary Sophie Devine and featuring the world-class Amelia Kerr, the White Ferns have the firepower to upset any team on any day. This match is a classic contest between India’s batting depth and New Zealand’s exceptional all-round talent.

IN-W vs NZ-W Match Details

IN-W vs NZ-W Match Preview

India Women (IN-W): India enters this contest with the dual pressure and advantage of being the host nation. Their strength lies in their top-order batting. The trio of Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur can take the game away from any opposition. The lower-middle order, featuring the explosive Richa Ghosh and all-rounders Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana, provides significant depth.

The bowling attack will be spearheaded by pacer Renuka Singh, who is lethal with the new ball. The spin department, led by Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav, will be crucial in the middle overs, especially on a surface that is expected to offer some assistance. India’s biggest challenge will be handling the pressure of a home World Cup and neutralizing New Zealand’s powerful top order.

New Zealand Women (NZ-W): The White Ferns are a perennially strong side in ICC events. Their team is built around a core of world-class all-rounders. Captain Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates form one of the most experienced and dangerous opening pairs in women’s cricket. The linchpin of their side is Amelia Kerr, whose contributions with both bat and leg-spin are often match-winning.

Their pace attack, led by the fiery Lea Tahuhu and supported by Jess Kerr, will pose a significant threat to India’s top order. New Zealand’s ability to control the game’s tempo through their all-rounders makes them a difficult opponent. They will be looking to silence the home crowd early and put India’s batting lineup under pressure.

IN-W vs NZ-W Pitch and Weather Report

Pitch Report (Dr. D.Y. Patil Sports Academy) – The pitch at the Dr. D.Y. Patil Sports Academy is renowned as a batting paradise. It is typically flat, hard, and offers true bounce, as seen during the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Batters get full value for their shots, and the quick outfield aids high scoring. Expect a run-fest.

While pacers might get some early swing under the lights, the spinners will have to be very precise. The most significant factor in this 3:00 PM start will be the dew. The dew sets in heavily in the evening in Mumbai, making it extremely difficult for the team bowling second to grip the ball. The captain winning the toss will almost certainly elect to bowl first.

IN-W vs NZ-W Weather Report

The weather in Navi Mumbai on October 23rd is expected to be hot and humid. The temperature will be in the low 30 °C at the start of play and cool down as the evening progresses. There is no threat of rain, so a full, uninterrupted match is expected. The high humidity will test the players’ fitness, and the dew factor will be decisive.

IN-W vs NZ-W Probable Playing11

India Women (IN-W): Smriti Mandhana, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Renuka Singh, Arundathi Reddy

New Zealand Women (NZ-W): Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine (c), Amelia Kerr, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Georgia Plimmer, Isabella Gaze (wk), Lea Tahuhu, Jess Kerr, Eden Carson, Rosemary Mair

IN-W vs NZ-W Full Squads

India Women Squad: Deepti Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Radha Yadav, Harleen Deol, Arundathi Reddy, Yastika Bhatia, Sneh Rana, Richa Ghosh, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh, Pratika Rawal, Amanjot Kaur, NR-Shree Charani

New Zealand Women Squad: Lea Tahuhu, Maddy Green, Sophie Devine (C), Suzie Bates, Amelia Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Jess Kerr, Bree Illing, Brooke Halliday, Georgia Plimmer, Isabella Gaze, Eden Carson, Flora Devonshire, Polly Inglis, Bella James

IN-W vs NZ-W Match Prediction

This is a very evenly matched contest that could go either way. New Zealand’s strength lies in their “big three” – Devine, Bates, and A. Kerr. If India can dismiss them relatively cheaply, they will be in a commanding position. For India, their star-studded batting lineup needs to fire in unison against a disciplined Kiwi pace attack.

The match will likely be decided by two key factors: the toss and the battle between India’s batters and NZ’s pacers.

Given the home advantage and the massive dew factor that heavily favors the chasing side, the team that wins the toss will have a significant edge. However, India’s spin attack and batting depth might just give them a slight advantage in familiar conditions.

Prediction: India Women to win a close, high-scoring thriller.