New Zealand captain Sophie Devine has admitted India will head into their virtual Women’s World Cup quarter-final clash as clear favourites, despite the huge pressure of playing in front of a home crowd. On the eve of the crucial encounter at the DY Patil Stadium, Devine admitted she felt deeply for the Indian team facing the weight of the nation’s expectations.
“Honestly, I can’t imagine the pressure the Indian team is under,” Devine said. “When we were playing at the World Cup at home, the pressure we felt to perform in front of our own crowd and country was overwhelming at times. I can’t imagine what it’s like with a billion people tuning in and the weight on their shoulders. I have real empathy for them trying to cope with that and having to perform at the same time.”
Both sides were fighting to keep their tournament hopes alive and the stakes could not have been higher. A win for India would seal their place in the semi-finals, while New Zealand need wins in both their remaining matches to stay in contention.
Devine said her team is fully aware of India’s strength but remains focused on its own approach. “We’re under no illusions that India are the clear favourites. We’ll wear that underdog badge with pride, as the Kiwis often do,” she said.
The New Zealand skipper emphasized that her team would focus on controlling the controllable elements and not be distracted by external factors, including the weather. “We know India are under pressure at home but we will go there and control what we can. It is almost the quarter-finals and we are adapting to the challenge,” she said. “It was raining last night when India came to train, but that’s something we can’t control. We’ve moved on and we know exactly what we have to do.”
Devine also highlighted the leadership role she shares with veteran Suzie Bates, with both senior players determined to guide the younger members of the squad. “We pride ourselves on leading with our performances and actions,” she said. “We’ll have to lean on each other, especially with 99.9 per cent of the crowd supporting India tomorrow. It’s going to be a sea of blue.”
Looking ahead to the match, Devine expects a high-scoring contest at the DY Patil Stadium. “It looks like a great batting wicket and the outfield is like a carpet – lightning fast. Hopefully it’s a sell-out crowd and a fantastic atmosphere for everyone.”
– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
October 22, 2025
Tune in
