Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 Kicks Off With India vs Sri Lanka
- The 13th ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 begins today with India facing Sri Lanka in Guwahati.
- India hosts for the fourth time, led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, aiming for their first title.
- Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, and West Indies are key teams to watch, with 31 matches across India and Sri Lanka until 2 November.
The 13th ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 officially begins today, and Google is celebrating the start of the tournament with a special Doodle, highlighting the growing popularity of women’s cricket around the world. The tournament’s opening match takes place in Guwahati, where co-hosts India face off against Sri Lanka in a 50-over contest.
This edition features 31 matches across India and Sri Lanka, with eight top teams competing for the prestigious trophy. The Women’s Cricket World Cup has a long and rich history, first held in 1973, two years before the men’s edition, and has since become the most celebrated event in women’s cricket.
India is hosting the Women’s World Cup for the fourth time, having previously welcomed the tournament in 1978, 1997, and 2013. Despite reaching the finals twice, in 1978 and 2017, India has not yet lifted the trophy. The team, led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, begins its campaign with the match against Sri Lanka. A key fixture against arch-rivals Pakistan is scheduled on 5 October in Colombo, played at a neutral venue in accordance with ICC regulations.
Among the top contenders, Australia enters the tournament as the most successful team, holding seven titles and looking to maintain their dominance. They are set to play India in Visakhapatnam on 9 October. England, the second-ranked team, comes under the leadership of coach Charlotte Edwards and captain Nat Sciver-Brunt. Other strong teams like New Zealand, South Africa, and the West Indies are expected to deliver thrilling matches throughout the competition.
The matches are being held across five venues, four in India and one in Sri Lanka. The tournament continues until 2 November, culminating in the grand final. Sri Lanka will host all its league matches except for the opener against India and a fixture against Bangladesh in Mumbai on 20 October.
India’s squad features a mix of experience and youth, including Harmanpreet Kaur as captain, Smriti Mandhana as vice-captain, and key players like Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Deepti Sharma, and Renuka Singh Thakur. The reserves include promising talents like Tejal Hasabnis, Prema Rawat, and Minnu Mani, ensuring depth and flexibility for the campaign.
The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 promises excitement, competitive matches, and inspiring performances. With India hosting on home soil and the world’s best players participating, fans are set to witness a spectacular sporting experience. Whether cheering from the stands or following via live streaming, today marks the start of a historic tournament where nations compete fiercely, records are tested, and the spirit of women’s cricket shines brighter than ever.
