The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the Indian women’s cricket team squad for the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, with Harmanpreet Kaur named captain and Smriti Mandhana as vice-captain. The announcement marks a significant milestone as Harmanpreet prepares for her fifth ODI World Cup – and her first as captain – while India aims to secure its maiden title on home soil.
Leadership at the Core
Harmanpreet Kaur, one of India’s most experienced cricketers, will be leading the squad with a wealth of knowledge gained over the years. Her aggressive batting style and ability to handle pressure make her a natural leader for this high-stakes tournament. Smriti Mandhana, India’s premier opener and one of the most consistent performers in women’s cricket, will serve as vice-captain, providing additional leadership support and stability at the top order.
Batting Line-Up and Key Inclusions
The batting department will be spearheaded by Harmanpreet and Smriti, alongside Jemimah Rodrigues, known for her elegant stroke play and ability to anchor innings. Notably, flamboyant opener Shafali Verma has missed out on selection due to inconsistent form, making room for other players to step up and fill the void at the top of the order.
All-Rounders and Spin Strength
India’s spin department will be crucial in home conditions, with Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav expected to play vital roles. Deepti brings balance with her all-round skills, while Radha’s left-arm spin adds variety and control. Sneh Rana, another dependable all-rounder, strengthens both the spin and lower-order batting options.
Pace Attack and Wicket-Keeping Options
The pace bowling unit will be led by Renuka Singh Thakur, whose ability to swing the ball early makes her a key weapon against strong batting line-ups. She will be supported by Arundhati Reddy and other seam options, ensuring India has a balanced attack for varying pitch conditions.
Wicket-keeping responsibilities will be shared between Richa Ghosh and Yastika Bhatia, both of whom bring solid batting credentials to the lower-middle order, adding depth to the line-up.
India’s World Cup Schedule
India will kick off its campaign against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru on September 30, followed by the marquee clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on October 5. The round-robin format will see each of the eight teams face one another once, with the top four advancing to the semi-finals.
The final is scheduled for November 2. If Pakistan qualifies, the title match will be held in Colombo; otherwise, Bengaluru will host the championship showdown.
The Road to History
The 2025 edition marks the 13th Women’s ODI World Cup, with Australia entering as defending champions and the most successful side in tournament history, boasting seven titles. England follows with five championships, while New Zealand has lifted the trophy once.
India, despite reaching the final twice, is yet to clinch the title. In 2005, India lost to Australia by 98 runs, while in 2017, they fell agonizingly short by just nine runs against England. The upcoming tournament presents a golden opportunity for the team to change history and capture their first-ever Women’s Cricket World Cup.
India’s 15-Member Squad for ODI World Cup 2025
Harmanpreet Kaur (captain) Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain) 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
With a strong mix of experience and young talent, India’s squad is well-balanced for the high-intensity competition ahead. The focus will now shift to fine-tuning strategies during the upcoming conditioning camp and ODI series against Australia, as the team sets its sights on lifting the coveted trophy for the first time.