India, Oct. 22 -- One can well imagine the pressure Harmanpreet Kaur's players will feel on Thursday afternoon when they walk out to face New Zealand at the DY Patil Stadium. It is a virtual knock-out in a home World Cup where a packed stadium will scrutinise every move. India face the heat after three straight losses where one more wrong step means staring at the exit.

India and New Zealand face off in what is seen as a virtual quarterfinal, an intense battle for the last semi-final spot in the ODI Women's World Cup. Seven-time champions Australia, South Africa and four-time winners England have booked their last-four spots.

India will have to turn up for the high stakes game at the Navi Mumbai ground. The hosts are in a desperate situ...