Tournament: ICC Women’s World Cup 2025
Match: 26th Match (Day/Night)
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM IST (8:30 PM AEDT)
Venue: Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore
Broadcast: Star Sports, JioHotstar (India); Amazon Prime Video (Australia); ICC.tv (International)
What’s at Stake?
This is a massive game for both teams. The winner will finish at the top of the points table and earn a semi-final spot against India in Mumbai on October 30. The losing team will finish second or third and face England in Guwahati on October 29.
Australia leads the table with 11 points from five wins and one no-result. South Africa sits second with 10 points from six matches, winning their last four games in a row.
Likely Playing XIs
Australia Women (Probable XI)
Source: SportsCafe.in, Cricket.com.au
- Alyssa Healy (c & wk)
- Phoebe Litchfield
- Beth Mooney
- Ellyse Perry
- Annabel Sutherland
- Tahlia McGrath (vc)
- Ashleigh Gardner
- Sophie Molineux
- Alana King
- Kim Garth
- Megan Schutt
Note: Alyssa Healy returns to lead the team after missing the England match with injury.
South Africa Women (Probable XI)
Source: SportsCafe.in
- Laura Wolvaardt (c)
- Tazmin Brits
- Sune Luus
- Annerie Dercksen
- Marizanne Kapp
- Nadine de Klerk
- Karabo Meso (wk)
- Chloe Tryon
- Masabata Klaas
- Ayabonga Khaka
- Nonkululeko Mlaba
Note: Karabo Meso has replaced Sinalo Jafta behind the stumps in recent matches. Masabata Klaas might return in place of Ayabonga Khaka.
Playing XIs are not confirmed at time of writing. These are likely lineups based on recent team selections.
Pitch and Weather Report
Pitch
The Holkar Stadium pitch typically favors batters early on, offering good bounce and steady pace. As the match goes on, especially under lights, the pitch may slow down and help spinners. Teams winning the toss might bowl first to use any early movement before the pitch flattens.
Weather
Expect warm and partly cloudy conditions with temperatures around 28-33°C. There’s only a 30% chance of light rain, so interruptions are unlikely. Humidity could reach 70-73% during the evening session, which might help pace bowlers under lights.
Weather source: Skymet Weather, AQI.in
Players to Watch
| Role | Player | Team | Why Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batter | Alyssa Healy | Australia | Returns from injury; has scored 7,000+ international runs |
| Batter | Beth Mooney | Australia | Rescued Australia with a century vs Pakistan from 7-76 |
| Batter | Ashleigh Gardner | Australia | Scored unbeaten century vs England; 100+ runs vs New Zealand |
| Batter | Laura Wolvaardt | South Africa | Captain in excellent form; 161 runs in ODI World Cups |
| Batter | Marizanne Kapp | South Africa | 347 career runs vs Australia; key all-rounder |
| Bowler | Annabel Sutherland | Australia | Tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 15 wickets at 12.13 |
| Bowler | Megan Schutt | Australia | Australia’s pace spearhead; consistent wicket-taker |
| Bowler | Nonkululeko Mlaba | South Africa | Left-arm spinner crucial on spinning Indore pitch |
| Bowler | Masabata Klaas | South Africa | Pace bowler who has improved; takes key wickets |
Source: Cricket.com.au, Female Cricket, CricketWorld
Recent Form
Australia: Australia has been in brilliant form. They beat New Zealand by 89 runs, recovered from 7-76 to beat Pakistan by 107 runs, chased a world record 330 against India, crushed Bangladesh by 10 wickets, and beat England by 6 wickets with Ashleigh Gardner’s century.
South Africa: After losing to England in their opening game (bowled out for 69), South Africa has bounced back strongly. They’ve won four straight matches against New Zealand, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka to secure their semi-final spot.
What to Expect
This should be a close and exciting contest between two strong teams. Australia’s batting depth is incredible, with players like Healy, Mooney, Perry, and Gardner all capable of match-winning performances. Their bowling attack led by Sutherland and Schutt is equally strong.
South Africa will rely on captain Laura Wolvaardt to provide a solid start, while Marizanne Kapp and Nadine de Klerk offer vital all-round support. Their spin attack, especially Nonkululeko Mlaba, could be crucial on a pitch that might help slower bowlers later in the game.
Australia starts as favorites based on their unbeaten record, but South Africa’s recent winning streak shows they can’t be taken lightly. Expect a tight battle with the winner earning the psychological advantage of finishing first.
Prediction: Australia’s experience in big matches and their all-round team strength gives them a slight edge, but South Africa has the players to pull off an upset. Both teams will qualify for the semi-finals regardless of this result, but pride and preferred semi-final matchups are on the line.