India, England meet at a crucial crossroads after inconsistent campaigns

India's critical World Cup 2025 clash against England carries more than just points; and is laced with subplots that can define both their campaigns.

For starters, the leadership group rekindles memories of what was a successful alliance at WPL until March. Harmanpreet Kaur, coach Charlotte Edwards, and vice-captain Nat Sciver-Brunt - once the tactical braintrust behind Mumbai Indians' success in the formative years of the league - now find themselves split on the opposite camps of a high-stakes clash that will go on to define semifinal fortunes for both. That MI think-tank is now divided by national colours; still chasing the same dream but from rival dugouts.

On that front, India are perhaps in a more dire situation than their Sunday's opponents. Two scrappy wins followed by two crushing defeats have already pushed them towards a mid-table scuffle, their top-order wobbles and