The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the 15-member squad for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from September 30, 2025. Harmanpreet Kaur will captain the team for her maiden ODI World Cup as leader, with Smriti Mandhana named vice-captain. The squad blends seasoned stars with emerging talent, but the exclusion of explosive opener Shafali Verma has sparked widespread discussion.
Leadership Core: Harmanpreet and Mandhana Take Charge
Harmanpreet Kaur, with 876 runs in 22 World Cup matches at an average of 51.52, steps into her first ODI World Cup as captain, a milestone in her illustrious career. Her deputy, Smriti Mandhana, brings dynamism and experience, averaging 43.51 in subcontinental conditions, making her a key figure to blunt opposition attacks early. This leadership duo, backed by head coach Amol Muzumdar, aims to guide India to their maiden World Cup title after a heartbreaking loss in the 2017 final against England at Lord’s.
Squad Highlights: A Balanced Powerhouse
The BCCI’s selection committee, led by Neetu David, has crafted a squad tailored for subcontinental conditions, balancing aggressive batting, versatile all-rounders, and a potent bowling attack. Key inclusions include:
- Renuka Singh Thakur: The pace spearhead returns after recovering from a back stress fracture sustained post-WPL 2025. Her ability to swing the new ball will be crucial in the PowerPlay.
- Pratika Rawal: The breakout batter, with 703 runs since her debut last year, earns her spot with consistent performances, edging out Shafali Verma as Smriti Mandhana’s opening partner.
- Spin-Heavy Attack: Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Radha Yadav, and Sree Charani form a formidable spin quartet, ideal for Indian pitches.
- All-Round Depth: Amanjot Kaur and Kranti Gaud add balance with their dual skills, while Jemimah Rodrigues and Harleen Deol bolster the middle order.
The squad also features two wicketkeepers, Richa Ghosh and Yastika Bhatia, offering flexibility behind the stumps.
Shafali Verma’s Shock Omission
The most talked-about decision is the exclusion of Shafali Verma, the hard-hitting opener known for her match-winning potential. Despite a stellar domestic record—527 runs at an average of 75.29 in the Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy—her inconsistent ODI form (scores of 3, 47, 31, 75 against England, and 3, 3, 41 against Australia A) led to her omission. Chief selector Neetu David emphasized Shafali remains in India’s long-term plans: “She’s in the system. We’ve got our eyes on her. We hope she plays more and garners experience for the 50-over format.”
Squad Dynamics: Ready for Subcontinental Glory
India’s squad is designed to dominate in home conditions. The batting lineup, led by Mandhana, Rawal, Rodrigues, and Kaur, combines stability with aggression. The spin-heavy bowling attack, anchored by Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana (15 wickets in the Sri Lanka tri-series), is tailor-made for turning tracks. Renuka Thakur and Arundhati Reddy will lead the pace department, with Kranti Gaud’s recent six-wicket haul against England adding depth. Amanjot Kaur, recovering from minor niggles, is expected to be fit for the tournament, providing all-round balance.
Preparation and Schedule
India will fine-tune their preparations with a three-match ODI series against Australia from September 14–20, 2025, in Mullanpur and Delhi. The World Cup squad is nearly identical, with Sayali Satghare replacing Amanjot Kaur for the Australia series due to workload management. India’s World Cup campaign kicks off against Sri Lanka on September 30 at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, followed by matches against Pakistan (Colombo), South Africa (Visakhapatnam), and Australia (Visakhapatnam). A weeklong camp in Visakhapatnam is planned to acclimatize the team.
Full 15-Member Squad for ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025
- Captain: Harmanpreet Kaur
- Vice-Captain: Smriti Mandhana
- Batters / All-Rounders: Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Sree Charani, Sneh Rana, Amanjot Kaur
- Wicketkeepers: Richa Ghosh, Yastika Bhatia
- Pace Bowlers: Renuka Singh Thakur, Radha Yadav
Standby Players: Tejal Hasabnis, Prema Rawat, Priya Mishra, Uma Chetry, Minnu Mani, Sayali Satghare
Looking Ahead: A Shot at History
With recent series wins against England, South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies, and a tri-series triumph in Sri Lanka, India enter the World Cup with momentum. Harmanpreet’s team is poised to chase their first-ever ODI World Cup title on home soil, leveraging a balanced squad and the passionate support of Indian fans. The omission of Shafali Verma adds intrigue, but the focus remains on this power-packed unit to deliver a historic triumph.
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