The anticipation is reaching fever pitch as India gears up to host the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, hoping to finally break the jinx and lift the coveted trophy on home soil. The tournament, featuring eight formidable teams, kicks off on September 30 in Guwahati, where India faces Sri Lanka in the opening match—a contest that’s already drawing plenty of attention and high expectations from fans and pundits alike.
India, led by the charismatic Harmanpreet Kaur and bolstered by the prolific Smriti Mandhana, enters the competition with a sense of unfinished business. The Women in Blue have hosted the World Cup three times before—1978, 1997, and 2013—but have never managed to clinch the title. Their best performance at home came back in 1997, when they reached the semifinals only to be knocked out by a dominant Australian side. Since then, Indian women’s cricket has evolved dramatically, with increased visibility, investment, and a growing legion of passionate supporters.
This time, there’s a palpable sense of belief in the squad. Smriti Mandhana, who has amassed a staggering 2,100 runs at an average of 58.33 with eight centuries since the 2022 World Cup, summed up the mood perfectly: “I think our belief has changed a lot with the effort put in. The fight will always be there and everyone in this team believes they are match winners. A lot of things have changed in India for women’s cricket since 2013. We have been waiting for this tournament to come about.”
The team’s key strength lies in its spin department, with Deepti Sharma (currently the ICC’s No. 7-ranked ODI bowler), Sneh Rana, Radha Yadav, and the promising newcomer Sree Charani all set to play vital roles. India’s spin attack was on full display earlier this year, when they edged out Sri Lanka 2-1 in a closely contested ODI series. Deepti Sharma, in particular, has been a standout performer, consistently troubling opposition batters with her guile and accuracy.
But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for the hosts. In their recent warm-up match against England, India suffered a heavy 152-run defeat, with their bowling unit conceding 339 runs in 50 overs. England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt hammered a 105-ball 122, supported by Emma Lamb’s brisk 81. The absence of key batters—Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, and Pratika Rawal—was keenly felt, but all three are expected to return for the crucial warm-up against New Zealand on September 27 at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground in Bengaluru. That match, which will be televised on Star Sports Network and streamed live on the JioHostar app, is being closely watched as a test of India’s readiness ahead of the main event.
Australia, the defending champions and seven-time winners, arrive as the team to beat. With a glittering record—nine finals in 12 World Cups—Australia’s squad is a blend of seasoned campaigners and exciting newcomers. Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, and Megan Schutt may be playing their final ODI World Cup, adding extra motivation to their campaign. The team also boasts fresh faces like Sophie Molineux, Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth, Phoebe Litchfield, and Georgia Voll, as they look to adapt quickly to subcontinental conditions. “We are going to play a lot of spin in this World Cup, especially in the middle overs,” skipper Alyssa Healy noted, acknowledging the challenge posed by India’s slow bowlers.
The tournament will be staged across five venues—four in India and one in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Notably, political tensions mean that all of Pakistan’s matches will be played in Sri Lanka, with the much-anticipated India vs. Pakistan clash set for October 5 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Under current ICC regulations, this arrangement will remain in place until at least 2027 whenever India and Pakistan host a major event.
England, led by new coach Charlotte Edwards and captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, enter as the world’s second-ranked side. While eight members of their 2022 final starting XI return, recent form has been patchy, introducing an element of unpredictability. Fourth-ranked New Zealand, fresh off their 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, and fifth-ranked South Africa—who retain their core of Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp, and Nadine de Klerk—also look poised to make deep runs. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, meanwhile, will be hoping to punch above their weight, especially with the tournament taking place in familiar subcontinental conditions.
Australian legend Meg Lanning, who led her country to World Cup victories in 2013 and 2022, believes that India’s opening match against Sri Lanka is crucial for setting the tone. “I think it’s a crucial game (against Sri Lanka) for them (India) because it can almost release the pressure a little bit,” Lanning said on The ICC Review. “If they can play a good solid game up front, get the win on the board, then I think that might just calm them down a little bit. Because yeah, home World Cups, there’ll be obviously a lot of pressure and expectation on them to do well.”
Lanning also highlighted the importance of focusing on qualifying for the semifinals during the group stages, rather than striving for perfection from the outset. “The group stages at World Cups are just about qualifying for the semis and so you don’t need to play your best cricket but you do need to win. So the key for the sides is to just be able to fight their way through,” she remarked, drawing on her own experience as a two-time World Cup winner.
Sri Lanka, for their part, are not to be underestimated. With a bowling attack led by the experienced Inoka Ranaweera and captain Chamari Athapaththu—who also offers off-spin options—plus left-arm spinner Sugandika Dasanayaka and young all-rounders Dewmi Vihanga and Kaveesha Dilhari, the islanders have the tools to challenge any lineup. The teams know each other well, having faced off frequently in recent years, adding another layer of intrigue to the opening fixture.
As the countdown to the tournament continues, the Indian squad—featuring the likes of Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh Thakur, Shree Charani, Uma Chetry, Amanjot Kaur, and Jemimah Rodrigues—will be looking to iron out kinks and harness home advantage. The 31-match tournament promises drama, upsets, and unforgettable moments, culminating in the final on November 2.
With the world watching and the pressure of history on their shoulders, India’s women are determined to seize their moment. Whether this will finally be their year remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure—the journey promises to be thrilling from start to finish.
