India is set to host the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup from September 29 to October 26, with the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium in Mullanpur expected to stage the final. Other host cities include Visakhapatnam, Thiruvananthapuram, Raipur, and Indore, marking a significant moment for women’s cricket in the country.
New Venues to Showcase Women’s Cricket
While Visakhapatnam has previously hosted women’s international matches—most recently in 2014—the other three venues will be welcoming the women’s game for the first time. Indore, which previously held two Women’s World Cup matches at the Nehru Stadium, has not hosted women’s internationals since the city’s cricket moved to the Holkar Stadium in the late 2000s.
The ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam has a rich history, having hosted six T20 Internationals and five ODIs for women. This tournament will provide an opportunity to expand the footprint of women’s cricket in central and southern India.
Teams and Qualification Process
Six teams have already secured their place in the tournament: India (hosts), Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka. The remaining two spots will be determined through the Women’s World Cup Qualifiers held in Lahore from April 9.
If Pakistan qualifies, they will play their matches in either the UAE or Sri Lanka due to a reciprocal agreement between the BCCI and PCB ahead of the 2025 Men’s Champions Trophy.
A Return to India After 12 Years
This will be the first time India is hosting the Women’s World Cup since 2013, when the home team exited during the group stage. The country also hosted the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2016.
The 2025 World Cup will follow the same format as the 2022 edition, featuring eight teams playing 31 matches across the competition.
India’s Quest for Maiden World Cup Victory
India is still seeking its first-ever Women’s World Cup title. Their best performance came in 2017, when they finished as runners-up after a narrow loss to England.
This World Cup will also mark a new chapter for India’s women’s team as they enter their first ODI World Cup without two of their greatest players—Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami—who both retired from international cricket.
With new venues, emerging talents, and home support, the 2025 Women’s World Cup promises to be a landmark event for women’s cricket in India and globally.
