Patiala, 20 August (Sports Desk)
India, the hosts of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, to be held from September 30 to November 2, have unveiled their 15-member squad for the tournament.
Squad
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Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain)
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Smriti Mandhana (Vice-Captain)
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Pratika Rawal
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Harleen Deol
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Jemimah Rodrigues
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Richa Ghosh
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Yastika Bhatia
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Renuka Singh Thakur
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Deepti Sharma
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Sneh Rana
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Sree Charani
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Radha Yadav
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Amanjot Kaur
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Arundhati Reddy
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Kranti Gaud
Strong Leadership Core
Harmanpreet Kaur will captain India in her first 50-over World Cup, bringing her dynamic energy and big-match experience, notably her unbeaten 171 against Australia in the 2017 semi-finals. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana complements her with consistent batting and a calm presence. With over 250 ODIs of combined experience, the duo aims to lead India to their first World Cup title on home soil.
Balanced Mix of Experience and Youth
The squad blends seasoned players like Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Deepti Sharma with emerging talents such as Pratika Rawal, Kranti Gaud, and Sree Charani. This mix ensures both immediate competitiveness and long-term growth. Rawal, a debutant from December 2024, has scored 703 runs in 14 innings at an average of 54.07. Gaud made headlines with a six-wicket haul in the final ODI against England, securing a series win.
Key Omission
Shafali Verma’s exclusion is a major talking point. Despite her aggressive batting and 176 runs in the T20I series against England, her inconsistent performances in the 50-over format led to her being overlooked in favor of openers Rawal and Mandhana.
Wicket-Keeping and Spin Options
India have included two wicket-keepers, Richa Ghosh and Yastika Bhatia, offering flexibility in the batting lineup. The spin bowling department is robust, with Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Radha Yadav, and debutant Sree Charani, whose left-arm spin yielded nine wickets in eight matches since her April 2025 debut. This depth is ideal for spin-friendly Indian pitches.
Tactical Balance and Current Form
Newcomers like Rawal and Gaud have earned their spots through impressive domestic and Women’s Premier League performances. Senior players like Mandhana, the fastest Indian woman to 4,000 ODI runs, and Kaur, who scored a century in the recent ODI series against England, provide a solid foundation. The top order of Mandhana, Rawal, and Deol, combined with the middle-order strength of Rodrigues, Kaur, Ghosh, and Amanjot, ensures a balanced and explosive batting unit.
Looking Ahead
India will kick off their World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka following a home ODI series against Australia. After their narrow loss in the 2017 final, the team is poised to make history by winning the title at home in 2025.
