Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur together (Source:@ESPNcricinfo/X.com)
The Women's World Cup 2025 is all set to kickstart from September 30 with India going up against Sri Lanka. The excitement around the event is increasing with each passing day, and the hosts India, after some quality performances in recent times, are one of the favourites to lift the trophy.
However, they would have to be on the top of their game to lift the world title and would not allow the pressure of the big tournament to get into their head. Overall, India has a balanced side, and in this article, we will dig deeper into their arsenal and analyse the strengths and weaknesses.
India Squad For Women's World Cup 2025
Harmanpreet Kaur (Capt), Smriti Mandhana (VC), 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) and Sneh Rana
Stand-by: Tejal Hasabnis, Prema Rawal, Priya Mishra, Uma Chetry, Minnu Mani, Sayali Satghare
Strengths Of India
Key Batters In Form:
One of the biggest positives for India leading upto the tournament is the form of their key batters. Smriti Mandhana is piling on runs with great consistency and recently smashed two consecutive centuries against mighty Australians.
Smriti Mandhana's ODI Record In 2025
| Criterion | Data |
| Innings | 14 |
| Runs | 928 |
| Average | 66.28 |
| Strike-Rate | 115.85 |
| 100s/50s | 4/3 |
Harmanpreet Kaur smashed a century against England recently while she also got a fifty in the final match against Australia. She has an excellent average of over 50 in the Women's ODI World Cup, and her form ahead of the tournament is a big positive for India. Another experienced cricketer, Jemimah Rodrigues, also scored a fifty in the practice match against England after injury and had a fruitful series in the UK in July.
Experience and advantage of home conditions:
India would be playing the World Cup at home, and it is a big advantage for them. It will help younger players like Pratika Rawal and Richa Ghosh to play their natural game and continue the good work they have done in India.
Players like Mandhana, Harmanpreet, Deepti Sharma and Rodrigues have played all over the globe, but have been dominant at home over the years. Also, the spinners can be more effective in India, and thus, the women in Blue can utilise the potential of their players better in home conditions.
Weaknesses of India
Pace Department
India's fast bowling department is comparatively weaker than those of other top countries in the world. The most experienced pacer, Renuka Singh, has made her comeback after a long injury layoff and could take some time to get back to her groove. The other pacers, Kranti Goud, Arundhati Reddy and Amanjot Kaur have played just 25 ODIs between them, and thus India might struggle against quality batting teams if their spinners have an off day.
Overdependence on Richa Ghosh for a strong finish
Over the years, India have been short of power-hitters in the lower middle order and has often given away the advantage to the opposition team in crunch situations. Richa Ghosh has emerged as one batter who has shown finishing skills and power-game that is required at the back end of an ODI innings. However, other than her, India still lacks firepower in the lower order to back up the good work from the top and middle order.
Opportunities
To win the first-ever World Cup in front of home crowd
India have played two Women's World Cup Finals so far, firstly in 2005 and secondly in 2017. They came very close in 2017, and things have changed quite a lot since then, with India becoming one of the dominant forces alongside the likes of Australia and England.
They are one of the few teams that have challenged Australia in recent times, while they also managed to clinch an ODI series in England. Thus, India have been in good form in ODI cricket in recent times and with home advantage in their favour too, Harmanpreet Kaur and co. have a great chance to create history by becoming the first Indian women's team to lift the World Cup trophy.
Threats
Tendency to choke in high-pressure situations
India are playing the World Cup at home and thus along with the support, there comes an element of pressure as well. They would have to deal with that both in the games and off-field, wherever they travel. Thus, it could affect their game, and in the past, too, the Indian team has crumbled under pressure.
They were in the winning position during the final of the Women's World Cup but choked in the end. The same thing happened in the Commonwealth Games final against Australia and plenty of other occasions, and thus India would have to keep their nerves intact in crunch situations during big games. Otherwise, despite playing good cricket for the majority of the game they may throw away the advantage.
India's Best Probable XI for Women's World Cup 2025
Smriti Mandhana
Pratika Rawal
Harleen Deol
Harmanpreet Kaur (C)
Jemmimah Rodrigues
Richa Ghosh (WK)
Deepti Sharma
Radha Yadav
Sneh Rana
Renuka Singh
Kranti Goud
