The year 2025 has turned out to be the magic year in Women's cricket for India, as the Indian women's team beat the odds to secure their first Women's World
Cup title.
The Indian women's cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, scripted history by clinching their first-ever ICC Women's ODI World Cup title on home soil.
Hosted primarily in India (with some matches in Sri Lanka), the tournament ran from September 30 to November 2. India's campaign was a rollercoaster of resilience, marked by early promise, mid-tournament slump, and a stunning comeback.
India's Women's World Cup 2025 Journey
India started strongly, defeating Sri Lanka (by 59 runs, DLS method) and arch-rivals Pakistan in their opening matches. However, three consecutive losses to South Africa, Australia, and England put them on the brink of elimination. A crucial must-win victory over New Zealand, powered by high scores including centuries from players like Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana, secured their semi-final spot (their last group game against Bangladesh was washed out).
Beating the mighty Aussies in the Semis
In the semi-final, India stunned seven-time champions Australia in a high-scoring thriller, chasing down a massive target, which was the highest successful chase in Women's ODIs. Jemimah Rodrigues was the star of the show with a brilliant unbeaten 127, as India chased down 339 runs.
The Final
The final at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on November 2 saw India post 298/7, propelled by Shafali Verma's blistering 87 and Deepti Sharma's 58. South Africa, chasing 299, were bowled out for 246, with Deepti claiming a five-wicket haul (5/39) despite Laura Wolvaardt's century (101). India won by 52 runs, sparking nationwide celebrations amid a packed stadium and record viewership.
This victory ended decades of near-misses (runners-up in 2005 and 2017) and marked Asia's first global women's cricket title across formats.
Matches played: 9
Wins: 6 (including semi and final)
Maiden Women's World Cup title for India
Highest successful chase in Women's ODIs: (341/5 vs Australia in semi)
Deepti Sharma: Player of the Tournament
Ending 2025 on a High
The Indian women's team ended the calendar year 2025 on a high as they routed Sri Lanka with a 5-0 clean sweep in the T20I series on home soil. Shafali Verma was the star of the series as she won the Player of the Series award for scoring 241 runs at an average of 80 and a strike rate of 181.
The Key Performers for India in 2025
Pratika Rawal
Pratika Rawal had a breakout year in 2025, as she was a key performer in the World Cup. Rawal finished with 976 runs in the calendar year. She had an unfortunate injury before the World Cup semis, which makes her numbers even more staggering.
Smriti Mandhana
Smriti Mandhana became the first player in the world to score 1000+ ODI runs in a calendar year. She ended up scoring 1362 runs in 23 innings, at an average of over 61. South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt also joined her in the milestone, with 1162 runs in this calendar year. Smriti also became the fastest to 10,000 international runs.
Deepti Sharma
Deepti Sharma had a stellar outing in 2025. She claimed top spot in T20I wickets and also ended up with 39 ODI wickets, the most by a bowler in a calendar year ever in women's cricket.
