As the countdown begins for the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, all eyes are on India and their inspirational leader, Harmanpreet Kaur. For the skipper, who is set to feature in her fifth World Cup campaign, the tournament holds significance like never before. This is her first time captaining India in a home ODI World Cup, and the stakes could not be higher.
“Personally, this tournament is very important for me. This is a home World Cup. Home World Cups are special for every player. I have a lot of experience batting at No.4, I am just looking to contribute to the team,” said Harmanpreet as the Indian squad was announced.
For a nation that has twice come agonizingly close to glory, in 2005 and the heartbreak at Lord’s in 2017, the quest for that elusive first world title has been both a source of pride and pain.
Harmanpreet knows this all too well, having been the architect of one of India’s greatest World Cup moments with her whirlwind 171* against Australia in a semi-final eight years ago. Yet, she admits this moment feels different. This time, the chance to script history lies in front of home fans.
India’s selectors have placed their faith in a settled core, favouring stability ahead of the high-octane campaign. One of the most talked-about decisions has been the omission of young opener Shafali Verma. While Shafali remains in the system through “A” tours, the management has chosen experience and stability over experimentation.
“She is playing for India ‘A’ in Australia. She is a part of the system. We are keeping an eye out for her,” Harmanpreet explained calmly, reflecting both empathy and practicality. “We don’t want to play around with the team ahead of the World Cup. We just want Shafali to keep playing and gain some experience.”
It is an approach that underscores the team’s vision: consistency, cohesion, and collective confidence. “Our team did well in England. We have been working on this squad for a long time now. I think the team we have picked is the best,” Harmanpreet added.
The preparation hasn’t been short of intensity. Multiple training camps are underway in different parts of the country, with an emphasis on both fitness and mental preparation, an aspect Harmanpreet has repeatedly emphasised in recent years.
“We are really excited for the World Cup. We are having training camps. We are preparing ourselves mentally and physically,” she said, her words reflecting a quiet determination rather than a flamboyant promise. For a leader who leads by example, the subtle balance of calm and conviction often translates into inspiring performances on the pitch.
One of India’s biggest strengths heading into the World Cup is continuity. The core group has played extensively over the past few months and years, ensuring chemistry and a deeper understanding of shared roles. Harmanpreet highlighted this collective growth: “The same team played in the England series, and we have been playing together for a long time now. Team looks quite balanced to me, and hopefully, in both the Australia series and the World Cup, we will play our best cricket.”
For Harmanpreet, the World Cup is about more than just lifting a trophy. It represents a chance to inspire the next generation, to continue the momentum women’s cricket has built in India over the past decade, and to etch this team’s name alongside the legends.
And yet, beneath her composed words of enthusiasm, there is unmistakable fire, of unfinished business, of years of near-misses, and of a dream that 1.4 billion people now share with her team.
The ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, to be played in India and Sri Lanka from 30 September to 2 November, promises drama, intensity, and history in the making. For Harmanpreet Kaur and her team, though, it is clear: the mission is singular, the goal is non-negotiable.
“This is a home World Cup. It’s special. We have the balance, we have the belief, now it is all about execution,” she reflected with quiet conviction. If belief does indeed translate into glory, India’s long wait for a maiden women’s World Cup crown may soon come to an end, and Harmanpreet Kaur could be the captain who finally signs and scripts history, leading the Women in Blue.
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