The stage is all set, and all eyes are on India. As co-hosts of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 alongside Sri Lanka, the team is once again chasing a dream that has slipped away too many times. India have already hosted the tournament three times, in 1978, 1997 and 2013, yet the trophy has never found its way home. They’ve come close, finishing runners-up in 2005 against Australia and in 2017 against England, but heartbreak has always followed. This time, under Harmanpreet Kaur, playing her fifth ODI World Cup but captaining for the first time, India will be desperate to turn that lingering hope into long-awaited triumph.
SWOT Analysis
Strengths
The Mandhana-Rawal duo
One of India’s biggest strengths going into the World Cup is their new opening pair – Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal. Since coming together during the West Indies series in December 2024, the duo has been nothing short of sensational. In just 17 innings, they’ve piled up 1,302 runs at an impressive average of 76.58, scoring at a healthy run rate of 6.11.
This partnership has also allowed Mandhana to play with more freedom. For the first time in her ODI career, she has scored at a strike rate of over 100 in a calendar year. Rawal, on the other hand, has made a dream start, becoming the fastest woman cricketer to reach 500 ODI runs, achieving the feat in only 8 innings. She currently averages over 50, a sign of her consistency at the top.
Mandhana’s form has been even more striking, as she recently tore apart the defending champions Australia, scoring 300 runs in just 3 innings to seal the Player of the Series award. Together, the pair have already stitched five century stands and two half-century stands at home, a record that makes them one of the most reliable opening pairs heading into the World Cup.
Spin to win for India?
Another big strength for India is their spin department, which is set to play a major role on home pitches. With conditions expected to grip and slow down, especially in the middle overs, spinners could be the game-changers for the hosts.
India have a well-rounded spin unit in Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Radha Yadav, and the emerging talent N. Charani. Sneh Rana, who returned to the setup earlier this year in the tri-series in Sri Lanka, has been outstanding, picking up 21 wickets in just 11 games. Deepti, the most experienced of the lot, will once again carry the responsibility of controlling the flow of runs. In 2025, she has already bagged 17 wickets while maintaining a very tidy economy rate of 4.87, something that could prove crucial in pressure situations.
Adding variety, N. Charani has impressed after breaking into the national side on the back of her performances for Delhi Capitals in the WPL 2025. The left-arm orthodox spinner has taken 9 wickets in 9 games so far, with a steady economy of 5.68. With Radha Yadav adding further depth, India’s spin attack looks balanced, and it could well be the key to putting opposition batting line-ups under pressure during the World Cup.
Weaknesses
Injury to hamper India’s World Cup chances?
Injuries are part of the game, but having key players sidelined or struggling for rhythm right before a World Cup is far from ideal. India finds themselves in this tricky situation.
Once considered the leader of India’s pace attack, Renuka Singh Thakur has only just returned after her injury in the WPL 2025. She did feature against Australia recently and picked up three wickets, but her rhythm and consistency will be crucial if she is to make an impact in the tournament.
India have already suffered a big blow with wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia ruled out due to a knee injury picked up during the preparatory camp in Vizag. Her absence has opened the door for young Uma Chetry, who is yet to make her ODI debut, an untested option in such a high-pressure tournament.
Amanjot Kaur, the team’s only pace-bowling all-rounder, also missed the Australia series and, while named in the World Cup squad, will need time to find her best rhythm. To add to the list, pacer Arundhati Reddy suffered a blow to the left leg during the warmup game against England as concerns grow over her availability.
No wrist spinners
While India’s spin attack looks solid on paper, it does have one clear gap- the absence of a frontline wrist-spinner. Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana both bowl right-arm off-spin, while Radha Yadav and N. Charani are left-arm orthodox spinners.
Finger spinners tend to be more predictable, and experienced batters can often settle against them once they get set. On slower tracks they may still be effective, but if the surfaces offer less turn or play true, India could find it hard to take wickets in the middle overs. With Priya Mishra and Prema Rawat waiting in the reserves, India may look back and wonder if leaving out a wrist-spin option cost them an important edge.
Opportunities
The absence of legends like Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami marks a new era in women’s cricket history in India, one that could not be taking place in a better setting than a World Cup at home. For many players who have never been part of a World Cup squad before, it is an opportunity for them to showcase themselves on the biggest stage.
Harleen Deol, who continues to be backed into playing as No.3, will need to play anchor in case an opener gets out early, and build partnerships with captain Harmanpreet Kaur. It is important that she doesn’t let her nerves get the better of her, as shown in the 3rd ODI against Australia when she handed her wicket away, just as the scoring rate started to elevate. Richa Ghosh, who dons the keeper gloves, is expected to balance her keeping responsibility with her natural power hitting ability. This is a prized chance for India to break the jinx and finally be crowned as ‘World Champions’.
Threats
A major hurdle for India, undoubtedly, will be the pressure associated with playing at home. The euphoria is enormous, but so are the expectations, and they carry enormous weight. This team has shown that its bases are covered – with a win in the Sri Lanka tri-series, beating England in white-ball series (ODIs and T20Is both) for the first time, and it has given Australia a tough fight, but the World Cups have always tested their nerves in the past.
The real challenge will be to remain calm, trust their preparation, and back themselves, so that their talent and hard work can translate into performances, instead of being stifled by pressure. India has arrived at this World Cup with a dream in their hearts. The pressure is great, but the opportunity is equally as great. Finally, they will have a chance to claim glory that they have been chasing for some time now.
India’s squad for Women’s World Cup 2025:
Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Uma Chetry, Renuka Singh Thakur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud
Reserves: Tejal Hasabnis, Prema Rawat, Priya Mishra, Minnu Mani, Sayali Satghare
India’s schedule at Women’s World Cup 2025:
September 30, 2025: vs Sri Lanka – Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
October 5, 2025: vs Pakistan – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
October 9, 2025: vs South Africa – ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
October 12, 2025: vs Australia – ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
October 19, 2025: vs England – Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore
October 23, 2025: vs New Zealand – Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai
October 26, 2025: vs Bangladesh – Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai
*All games have a start time of 3:00 PM IST
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