As 2025 draws to a close, the India Women’s Cricket team are busy with the five-match home T20I series against Sri Lanka. After dominant performances in the first two games in Vizag, the Women in Blue have taken a 2-0 lead. With three matches still to be played in Kerala, they are expected to continue their dominance and sign off the year on a high.
However, regardless of how the series ends, 2025 has already become a landmark year in the history of India Women’s cricket. Global fans witnessed a phase of growth, consistency, and belief, highlighted by three World Cup titles across different levels, firmly stamping India’s authority on the world stage. Here is a rewind of a historic year.
ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup 2025 – Champions
The year began on a winning note with another ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup triumph. India, champions of the inaugural edition in 2023, entered the 2025 tournament as defending champions and delivered once again.
Under the guidance of coach Nooshin Al Khadeer, the young side produced a flawless campaign in Malaysia, held from January 18 to February 2. India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, clinching back-to-back titles in style. Players like Niki Prasad, G Kamalini, G Trisha, and Vaishnavi Sharma grabbed the spotlight with consistent and impactful performances.
ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 – Champions
The biggest focus of the year was the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Expectations were high, given the balanced squad and home conditions. India entered the tournament with strong momentum, having won a tri-series in Sri Lanka against South Africa and the hosts, followed by a successful England tour where they won both the T20I (3-2) and ODI series (2-1).
Just before the World Cup, India hosted Australia. Although they lost the series 1-2, the lone win was historic — their first home ODI victory against Australia in 18 years.
India’s World Cup campaign began with wins over Sri Lanka in Guwahati and arch-rivals Pakistan in Colombo. However, setbacks followed with losses against South Africa and Australia in Vizag, and a narrow defeat to England in Indore.
Facing a must-win situation, India bounced back strongly in Navi Mumbai, crushing New Zealand to seal a semi-final spot. Their final group match against Bangladesh was washed out due to rain.
Ahead of the semi-final, India suffered a setback as opener Pratika Rawal was ruled out injured, with Shafali Verma added as her replacement. On October 30 in Navi Mumbai, history was created. Jemimah Rodrigues played a sensational unbeaten knock of 127 off 134 balls, well supported by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s 89 and handy contributions from Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh, as India chased down a record 339-run target against Australia to reach the final.
In the final on November 2, India held their nerve and defeated South Africa by 52 runs to lift their maiden ICC Women’s ODI World Cup title. Shafali Verma starred with an 87-run knock and two crucial wickets, earning the Player of the Match award. After heartbreaks in 2005 and 2017, India finally crossed the finish line on home soil.
The tournament also witnessed record-breaking crowd support. A new league-stage attendance record for an ICC women’s event was set during India’s match against Bangladesh (25,965), while the semi-final and final saw packed stands. The final at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium drew a sold-out crowd of around 45,000.
Blind Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 – Champions
India Women’s cricket continued to shine with another historic triumph. The inaugural Blind Women’s T20 World Cup was held from November 11 to 23, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. India remained unbeaten and defeated Nepal in the final in Colombo, marking a landmark moment for visually impaired women’s cricket.
Pay Rise in Domestic Women’s Cricket
Following the ODI World Cup triumph, the BCCI rewarded INR 51 crore for the Indian team. Towards the end of the year, the board took another major step by approving a 2.5-fold hike in match fees for women cricketers in the domestic circuit.
Senior women players in domestic 50-over matches will now earn INR 50,000 per match in the playing XI, with reserves receiving INR 25,000. In T20s, players in the XI will get INR 25,000, while reserves will earn INR 12,500. Junior women players will also see significant pay increases across formats. This move is expected to strengthen the domestic structure and encourage more young talent to take up the sport.
What is in Store in 2026?
The key focus in 2026 will be the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England from June 12 to July 5. After a group-stage exit in 2024, India will aim to replicate their ODI World Cup success in the shortest format. Preparations are already underway through the ongoing home T20I series.
Apart from white-ball cricket, attention will also turn to Test cricket, with India set to play major Tests against Australia in Perth (Day-Night Test, March 6-9) and England at Lord’s (July 10-13). An action-packed year awaits, and after the highs of 2025, expectations will be higher than ever.
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