It’s time for Indian women’s cricket to pen another defining chapter. The ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, holds special prestige for the Women in Blue not just because of the glory that comes with lifting the trophy, but because it is happening in their own backyard this time around. Having twice fallen short in similar crossroads moments, in 2005 and most memorably at Lord’s in 2017, India now comes into 2025 bigger than theirs can ever be with the prospect of finally putting an end to the lingering wait for a world title.
Astonishing by all accounts, India enters this tournament with 10 wins from 14 matches this year alone. Smriti Mandhana has been the very life force of their batting unit with 928 runs, while Pratika Rawal has managed to etch out a distinction as a reliable partner with 668 runs. Bringing all the balance of an all-rounder would be Deepti Sharma with her 381 runs and 17 wickets, equally anchoring both innings, while Sneh Rana’s 21 wickets explain a lot about the depth on offer in India’s attack.
This momentum began with a whitewash of Ireland, a 3-0 victory all remembered for a towering 435/5-Wicket Pantheon, the fourth-highest ever women’s ODI team score. That same contest witnessed Rawal’s magnificent 154 off 129 and Mandhana’s whirlwind 135 from 80 chase a 304-run victory- possibly among the most crushing wins ever for India.
Thereafter, the team went to Sri Lanka for a tri-series, with South Africa as the other side. India then lifted the trophy based on the spirit of combined brilliance: Mandhana scored 264 runs, Jemimah Rodrigues added 245, while Rana took 15 wickets. The winning momentum was carried into England, where India found back-to-back series wins that were few and far between. Foremost among the highlights in the unusual third ODI which sealed the victory was Kaur’s fabulous 102 and Goud’s 6/52.
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In the World Cup buildup, India in September gave the reigning giant Australia a strong test. In the first ODI in Chennai, Rawal provided 64, Mandhana 58, and Harleen Deol 54, putting India in a strong position at 281, but the total was comfortably chased down. India hit back hard in the second match: Mandhana clobbered 117 off 91 balls to spearhead India’s 293, and after some rigid bowling, with Goud’s 3/28 standing out along with Sharma’s 2/24, Australia endured their heaviest-ever defeat, losing by 102 runs.
The third encounter, which the first two teams thought would be mere formalities, went high-scoring and epic at the finish. Australia made 412, their second-highest ever, and India responded with verve. Enter Mandhana—125 from 63, Harmanpreet—72 from 35, and Sharma—72 from 58-and the win was only 43 runs away, with the whole occasion being remembered just as much for India’s daring chase as the finish itself.
Since the previous World Cup of 2022, India have 25 wins to 38 matches balanced by losses to ten echoes spread across five teams-who record put them toward the level of most consistent outfits seen across world cricket. But this campaign bears an uncanny weight of symbolism. For the first time in twenty years, India goes to the world stage without their icons Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami, who took the side to previous finals. These legacies are now being held by the newer generation willing to write their own.
Ready to go, India will temper further with warm-up matches against England (September 25) and New Zealand (September 27).
India’s Schedule – Women’s World Cup 2025
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 30, 2025 | Sri Lanka | Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati | 3:00 PM IST |
| Oct 5, 2025 | Pakistan | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | 3:00 PM IST |
| Oct 9, 2025 | South Africa | ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam | 3:00 PM IST |
| Oct 12, 2025 | Australia | ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam | 3:00 PM IST |
| Oct 19, 2025 | England | Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore | 3:00 PM IST |
| Oct 23, 2025 | New Zealand | Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai | 3:00 PM IST |
| Oct 26, 2025 | Bangladesh | Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai | 3:00 PM IST |
India’s Squad – Women’s World Cup 2025
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Harmanpreet Kaur | Middle-order Batter, Captain |
| Smriti Mandhana | Opening Batter, Vice-Captain |
| Pratika Rawal | All-rounder (Batting + Medium Pace) |
| Harleen Deol | Top-order Batter, Part-time Leg Spinner |
| Jemimah Rodrigues | Top-order Batter |
| Richa Ghosh | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Uma Chetry | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Renuka Singh Thakur | Right-arm Fast-Medium Bowler |
| Deepti Sharma | All-rounder (Batting + Off-spin) |
| Sneh Rana | All-rounder (Batting + Off-spin) |
| Sree Charani | Left-arm Fast Bowler |
| Radha Yadav | Left-arm Orthodox Spinner |
| Amanjot Kaur | All-rounder (Medium Pace + Batting) |
| Arundhati Reddy | Right-arm Medium Fast Bowler |
| Kranti Gaud | Batter |
Reserves
| Player Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Tejal Hasabnis | All-rounder (Batting + Off-spin) |
| Prema Rawat | Right-arm Medium Fast Bowler |
| Priya Mishra | Leg Spinner |
| Minnu Mani | All-rounder (Batting + Off-spin) |
| Sayali Satghare | Right-arm Fast-Medium Bowler |
