Photo: Collected from Dawn, Pakistan

MUMBAI, India, Oct 30, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Australia skipper Alyssa Healy 
returned from injury and elected to bat against India in the second semi-
final at the Women's World Cup on Thursday.

Holders Australia, who are unbeaten at the tournament and favourites, made 
two changes in overcast conditions on the outskirts of Mumbai at DY Patil 
Stadium.

Wicketkeeper-batter Healy, who missed the last two league matches with a calf 
injury, and Sophie Molineux come in at the expense of Georgia Voll and 
Georgia Wareham.

Seven-time champions Australia come into the match with six wins in their 
seven league games, the other being a washout.

But India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur spoke about a "fearless mindset" at the 
toss, with a sellout crowd expected to boost the hosts at the 45,000-capacity 
stadium.

Shafali Verma makes the ODI team for the first time in a year as she replaces 
in-form opener Pratika Rawal, who injured her ankle in their last league 
match.

Richa Ghosh and Kranti Gaud are back for Uma Chetry and Harleen Deol.

India have twice been runners-up, in 2005 and 2017 -- when they beat 
Australia in the semi-finals before losing to England.

Since that semi-final defeat Australia have been on a roll with 15 ODI World 
Cup wins in a row.

The winner will clash with South Africa, who beat England in the first 
knockout, in the final at the same venue on Sunday.

Teams

India women: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Amanjot Kaur, Harmanpreet Kaur 
(capt), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, 
Kranti Gaud, N Shree Charani, Renuka Singh.

Australia women: Alyssa Healy (capt and wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, 
Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie 
Molineux, Kim Garth, Alana King, Megan Schutt.

Umpires: Lauren Agenbag (RSA), Sue Redfern (ENG)

TV Umpire: Kim Cotton (NZL)

Match Referee: Michell Pereira (SRI)