Mandhana in; no place for Harmanpreet: OneCricket's World Cup team of the tournament

World Cup team of the tournament [Source: AFP Photo]

The Indian team was under immense pressure as the hosts of the Women’s World Cup. They were expected to do well in the tournament, but the side did the unthinkable as they defeated Australia in the semis and South Africa in the finale to win the tournament for the first time in their history. Several Indian stars delivered the goods as the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side captured the World title.

Several Indian stars had an outstanding tournament, but apart from them, the players from other nations also delivered quality performances. With the World Cup 2025 done and dusted, we at OneCricket have made our team of the tournament, and here’s how it goes.

Top order - Laura Wolvaardt, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues

South African captain, Laura Wolvaardt, and India star, Smriti Mandhana, occupy the openers’ spot as the duo was outstanding in that position. Wolvaardt became the first Women’s captain to score centuries in the semifinals and finals, and scored truckloads of runs.

(Mandhana and Wolvaardt in WC 2025)

• While Wolvaardt was exceptional in the tournament, Mandhana wasn’t far behind as she scored key runs in the New Zealand clash and also in the finals as India clinched the title for the first time. She will also lead the team of the tournament for her outstanding leadership skills.
• At number 3, another Indian makes the cut as Jemimah Rodrigues occupies the spot. Against New Zealand in a must-win clash, she scored a quick-fire 76 off 55, but then came the knock for the ages as she single-handedly knocked out Australia from the World Cups with a whirlwind century in the semis.

Middle order - Heather Knight, Marizanne Kapp, Ash Gardner, Richa Ghosh, Deepti Sharma

• Former England captain, Heather Knight, occupies the number 4 spot, as she scored 288 runs in 8 matches, with an average of 48, and she played one of the best knocks of the tournament and steered her side to victory line in a close-fought contest against Bangladesh women.
• One of the best all-rounders in Women’s cricket, Marizanne Kapp is at 5. She had an all-round show in the tournament, picking up 12 wickets at an average of 20.25, and the Proteas player also contributed with the bat, scoring 208 runs.
• Australian team had a disappointing end to their tournament, but Ashleigh Gardner was their shining light as she displayed her all-round skills and scalped 7 wickets, and also scored 328 runs, which was the third highest in the tournament.
• Indian keeper, Richa Ghosh, makes the cut as the keeper of the team. She was the designated finisher of the team, and the batter displayed her skills in crucial games against Pakistan, Australia in the semis, and South Africa in the finals. She hammered 235 runs with a strike rate of 133.52.
• The Player of the Tournament, Deepti Sharma was India’s MVP of the World Cup as she contributed with both bat and ball. With the willow, she scored 215 runs in nine matches, and with the ball, the spinner scalped 22 wickets, the highest in the competition.

(Harmanpreet, despite being the World Cup winning captain was excluded from the list as her batting performances wasn't up there with some of the best).

Lower order - Annabel Sutherland, Nadine de Klerk, Sophie Ecclestone

• The second Aussie to make the list, Annabel Sutherland, finished as the second-highest wicket-taker of the World Cup (17 wickets), and was one of Australia’s best players as she contributed in almost every game. Moreover, she played a vital knock of 98* against England in a tricky run-chase and played her part really well.
• Nadine de Klerk will forever be known for her excellent showing in the game against India in the league stage. She won the game for her side from a seemingly impossible situation, and helped her team to qualify for the knockouts. She scored 208 runs, and also picked up 9 wickets.
• The final name on the list is England's Sophie Ecclestone. She was the third highest wicket-taker of the World Cup (16), and was England’s lone warrior with the ball as others had a disappointing tournament.

OneCricket's team of the tournament

Laura Wolvaardt (c), Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Heather Knight, Marizanne Kapp, Ash Gardner, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Annabel Sutherland, Nadine de Klerk, Sophie Ecclestone

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