India Women's Team - (Source: AFP)
On Wednesday, September 17, the Indian women locked horns against the Australian women for the 2nd ODI. The Women in Blue registered their biggest ever win over the Aussies. Smriti Mandhana smashed her 12th ODI hundred, and the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side also amassed their highest-ever ODI score against the Aussies, which is a positive sign ahead of the World Cup.
Talking about the skipper, she is undergoing a rough patch in the ongoing Australia series and has amassed just 28 runs in two matches. The Women's ODI World Cup is round the corner as the prestigious fifty-over World Cup begins from September 30.
The Favourites Tag A Pressure Or An Opportunity?
Team India are one of the favourites going into the tournament as they are the hosts and also the Women in Blue have named a solid squad, filled with experienced stars. Meanwhile, Harmanpreet Kaur is all set to make her captaincy debut in ODI World Cup and is probably will also be her last. The skipper face a daunting task as Team India are yet to win a solitary World Cup and the pressure to win one is at an all time-high.
India women have played 11 editions and came close to win one twice in 2005 and 2017. However, times were different back then, when the players weren't supported enough by the board and overall system.
The efforts by previous generations of cricketers like Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami, inspired the likes of Harmanpreet, Smriti Mandhana, and Deepti Sharma to take up the sport. However, now its high time that the Women convert the investment such as the WPL, developing Infrastructure into a silverware.
The Impact of the WPL
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) has fundamentally shifted the landscape for India’s women cricketers. Launched in 2023, the WPL’s commercial blockbuster status thrust Indian players into the highest-pressure environments — stadiums filled with up to 30,000 fans, and a global roster of world-class competitors.
Previously, Indian players rarely tasted such scrutiny until ICC events. Also, rarely the Indian stars used to face tough competitors on a regular basis and engage in such high level of competition.
Now, the WPL serves as a crucible, toughening domestic talent while raising expectations for rapid results. As Gujarat Giants coach Michael Klinger notes, " Indian players understand the level they need to attain to compete and are now accustomed to the harsh spotlight and fan demand that mirrors the men’s game."
Thus, the kind of exposure with the WPL, the standard of women's cricket in India has certainly reached new heights and the fans are correct in demanding a World Cup at home.
Why Is It ‘High Time’ for India And A Mirror To 2011 Men's World Cup
With consecutive heartbreaks in ICC finals – especially the 2017 ODI World Cup and 2020 T20 World Cup – the calls for India to win a senior title have crescendoed. The 2025 World Cup is the first since the WPL’s launch and sets a new bar of no-excuses, given the upgraded ecosystem and home advantage.
India has depth, match-hardened stars, and a highly visible leadership under Harmanpreet Kaur, but public patience is thin. Even Australia’s Meg Lanning warned, “Pressure at a home World Cup can be intense — if things don’t go well, expectations will multiply”.
Also, the upcoming tournament is a similar to pressure for the girls as the men faced during 2011 World Cup. India were favourites back then and also the hosts. Sachin Tendulkar was playing his last World Cup and so is probably Harmanpreet Kaur, who has turned 36. Virat Kohli was the next superhero in town and so is Smriti Mandhana. Thus, the Women in Blue should also expect similar pressure and expectation.
Player Quality: A Golden Generation
India boasts a crop of elite players honed further by the WPL: Smriti Mandhana’s consistency, Renuka Singh’s swing bowling, Deepti Sharma’s tactical flexibility — each has flourished amid global competition. More key contributors are emerging from grassroots pathways and have been exposed to aggressive, innovative cricket in franchise environments.
Added professional coaching, mental conditioning programs, and sports science investments mean today’s cricketers are vastly better equipped than their predecessors.
Infrastructure and Financial Backing by BCCI
India’s women cricketers now enjoy infrastructure and financial support once reserved for their male counterparts. In 2023, BCCI implemented equal pay for women, granting top-tier match fees and elite access to facilities — matching Australia, England, and New Zealand.
The WPL’s ₹951 crore media rights and substantial franchise investments have enabled world-class academies, physiotherapy, analytics, and travel. The board routinely rewards winning sides with multi-crore cash bonuses, signalling its intent to treat women’s cricket as “core business,” not an afterthought.
Conclusion
With WPL-driven momentum, world-class player talent, elite infrastructure, and unprecedented board backing, the expectations for Harmanpreet Kaur’s India couldn't be more intense. For Indian women’s cricket, this World Cup represents the ultimate pressure test — the time to convert potential into silverware, or risk prolonging a wait that, given the resources now available, feels far too long.
