With just 50 days left for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, India’s top stars—Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, and Jemimah Rodrigues—are setting their sights on making history. Playing on home soil, the trio is determined to break India’s ICC title drought and claim their first-ever senior World Cup trophy.
Harmanpreet Kaur, who will captain the side for her first ODI World Cup, emphasized enjoying her game while delivering for the home crowd. “This time, I hope we give 100 percent and break that final barrier,” she said at the “50 Days To Go” event in Mumbai. She also believes India’s recent form, including a strong series win in England, adds to the team’s confidence heading into the tournament.
Smriti Mandhana, India’s consistent opener, highlighted a positive shift in mindset within the team. “We’ve learned to stay calm, focused, and present,” she stated. Mandhana emphasized the importance of preparation, citing recent camps and overseas tours as key to their World Cup readiness.
Middle-order star Jemimah Rodrigues credited the Women’s Premier League (WPL) for boosting young players’ confidence. She spotlighted Kranti Gaud, the breakout pacer who led the wicket charts in England, as an example of fearless cricket influenced by WPL exposure. “Her attitude pushes each one of us,” Jemimah added.
Cricketing legend Mithali Raj, who led India in the 2017 edition, also praised the team’s progress. “This is a confident squad, with the home advantage and recent success behind them,” Mithali said, backing them to go the distance in 2025.
Reflecting on the 2017 World Cup, where India narrowly lost to England, all three players agreed it was a turning point for women’s cricket in India. Harmanpreet’s iconic 171* against Australia and the team’s heroics brought unprecedented attention and support, transforming public perception of the sport.
India will launch their World Cup 2025 campaign against Sri Lanka on 30 September at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. With momentum, experience, and the home crowd behind them, the Women in Blue are on a mission to create history.
