The countdown to the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 has begun, and for India, all roads now lead to Visakhapatnam. From August 25, the coastal city will host a week-long preparatory camp that could well define the Women in Blue’s push for a maiden world title on home soil.
The 15-member squad, joined by five reserves, will report on August 24 before beginning an intensive training block the next morning. Players currently with the India ‘A’ side in Australia will return directly to Vizag, slotting straight into the camp without pause — a sign of the urgency and focus with which this campaign is being approached.
India’s squad for ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025:
Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Richa Ghosh (WK), Kranti Gaud, Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Sree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (WK), Sneh Rana
Stand-by: Tejal Hasabnis, Prema Rawal, Priya Mishra, Uma Chetry, Minnu Mani, Sayali Satghare
The choice of Visakhapatnam is far from incidental. India will play two of its toughest league matches — against South Africa on October 9 and defending champions Australia on October 12 — at this very venue. Training in these conditions allows Harmanpreet Kaur’s team to fine-tune strategies in advance, get accustomed to pitch behavior, and prepare for the specific challenges they will face.
Earlier this month, the squad completed a 10-day high-performance camp at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. That phase was about overall sharpening — fitness drills, skill upgrades, and pressure simulations. The Vizag leg, however, is designed to be more match-specific, zeroing in on situational awareness, fielding intensity, and adaptability under coastal humidity.
Fielding, often a vulnerable spot for India, remains in sharp focus. Coaches will stress repeatability of effort — cutting down lapses and turning sparks of brilliance into routine standards. Bowlers, led by the returning Renuka Singh Thakur, are expected to concentrate on new-ball control in sea-breeze conditions, while batters prepare for the testing bounce and lateral movement expected in October.
The camp comes at a pivotal moment in India’s build-up. Once Vizag concludes, the team hosts Australia for an ODI series beginning September 14, followed by official warm-ups against England (September 25) and New Zealand (September 27). By then, the group must be battle-ready for their opening clash with Sri Lanka on September 30.
For now, though, the spotlight is firmly on Visakhapatnam, this is where tactics will be finalised, combinations tested, and intent hardened. For Harmanpreet and her squad, it is less a training exercise and more a rehearsal for the exact conditions in which they will fight their biggest battles.
Loves all things female cricket