The 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup final on 2nd November held at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium marked a watershed moment in women’s cricket, drawing record-breaking viewership and signifying a new era for the sport. The thriller saw hosts India clinch their maiden World Cup title with a comprehensive 52 runs victory over South Africa, and the event’s viewership numbers reflect just how much women’s cricket has captured the public imagination.
On the official streaming platform JioHotstar, the Women’s ODI World Cup final drew an extraordinary audience of 185 million viewers, matching the viewership of the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup final contested between India and South Africa. This remarkable figure also surpassed the average daily reach of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL).
The surge in online viewership highlights the growing women’s cricket fan base, particularly among younger audiences who increasingly follow the sport via streaming platforms. Furthermore, 92 million viewers watched the final on Connected TV (CTV) platforms, equaling the CTV audiences for both the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup final between India and Australia, and the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup final.
Overall, the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup reached 446 million viewers on digital platforms in India alone, the highest ever for a women’s sporting tournament and exceeding the combined totals of the last three editions.
This massive engagement signals a seismic shift in the recognition and reception of women’s cricket, raising it to unparalleled heights. Women’s international matches are now commanding audiences previously reserved for men’s games, highlighting a changing landscape that celebrates women’s achievements on an equal footing.
Earlier in the tournament, the group stage India and Pakistan clash set a record by attracting 28.4 million viewers, which pales in comparison to the final’s mesmerizing numbers. The packed DY Patil Stadium, with 39,555 passionate fans witnessing history live, further highlighted the growing enthusiasm and support for women’s cricket in India.
On the field, India posted a challenging total of 298, largely driven by Shafali Verma’s dynamic 87 alongside valuable contributions from Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma. The bowling unit, spearheaded by Deepti Sharma’s exceptional five wicket haul, successfully curtailed South Africa’s chase, sealing the historic victory.
This landmark event represents more than just a trophy for Indian cricket; it ushers in a transformative new generation of cricket fans and players who see women’s cricket as a mainstream sport worthy of global attention. The surge in viewership echoes the broader social movement toward gender equality in sports, providing female athletes with the platform, recognition, and respect they richly deserve.
The final in Navi Mumbai was a testament to the rising commercial and cultural stature of women’s cricket in India and worldwide. It promises a future where women’s sports command prime time viewership, lucrative sponsorships, and inspire millions of young girls to pick up cricket bats and gloves, knowing they too can make history on the world stage.
This new era is not just about numbers, it is about high recognition, respect, and the unstoppable rise of women’s sport as a powerful force in the global sporting arena.
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