The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 is set to captivate cricket fans worldwide, with India and Sri Lanka co-hosting the prestigious tournament from September 30 to November 2, 2025. As the 13th edition of the Women’s ODI World Cup, this event promises high-octane action, with eight top teams battling for the coveted title. For India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, this is a golden opportunity to end their title drought on home soil, where they last hosted the tournament in 2013. In this SEO-optimized, comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into Team India’s full schedule, opponents, venues, and key insights to help your sports blog rank high on Google and attract millions of views from international audiences, including the USA.
ICC Women’s World Cup 2025: An Overview
The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 will feature eight teams competing in a round-robin format, with each team facing the others once. The top four teams will advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for October 29 and 30, 2025, with the grand final set for November 2, 2025, in either Bengaluru or Colombo, depending on Pakistan’s qualification. The tournament will be hosted across five venues—four in India (Bengaluru, Guwahati, Indore, and Visakhapatnam) and one in Sri Lanka (Colombo). Notably, all of Pakistan’s matches, including their high-profile clash against India, will be played at the neutral venue of R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo due to geopolitical agreements.
This hybrid hosting model, combined with India’s rich cricketing heritage, sets the stage for a thrilling tournament. With defending champions Australia aiming for their eighth title, and strong contenders like England, New Zealand, and South Africa in the mix, India’s journey to the trophy will be no easy feat. Let’s break down Team India’s schedule and explore how they can leverage their home advantage.
Team India’s Opponents in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025
India will face seven opponents in the league stage, including arch-rivals Pakistan, defending champions Australia, and former champions England and New Zealand. The other teams in the fray are South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, with the final two spots determined by the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2025 held in Pakistan from April 9-19, 2025. Here’s a detailed look at India’s fixtures, venues, and what to expect from each match.
India’s Full Schedule for ICC Women’s World Cup 2025
Below is the complete schedule for India’s league-stage matches, with timings in IST (3:00 PM unless specified otherwise):
- September 30, 2025: India vs. Sri Lanka
Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, India
The tournament kicks off with a blockbuster opener as hosts India take on co-hosts Sri Lanka. Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, known for its electric atmosphere, will set the tone for India’s campaign. Sri Lanka, while not among the top-ranked teams, can be unpredictable, and India will look to start with a convincing win. - October 5, 2025: India vs. Pakistan
Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka
The highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash is a marquee event, drawing global attention. Played at a neutral venue due to ICC’s 2024-2027 cycle agreement, this match will test India’s mettle against a spirited Pakistani side. Expect a high-pressure encounter with emotions running high. - October 9, 2025: India vs. South Africa
Venue: ACA-VDCA Stadium, Visakhapatnam, India
South Africa, a rising force in women’s cricket, will challenge India with their balanced squad. Visakhapatnam’s coastal conditions may favor swing bowling, and India’s batters, including Smriti Mandhana, will need to adapt quickly. - October 12, 2025: India vs. Australia
Venue: ACA-VDCA Stadium, Visakhapatnam, India
Facing the defending champions and seven-time winners, Australia, will be India’s toughest test. With stars like Alyssa Healy and Ellyse Perry, Australia are favorites, but India’s home advantage could make this a thrilling contest. - October 19, 2025: India vs. England
Venue: Holkar Stadium, Indore, India
England, the 2022 runners-up and five-time champions, bring a wealth of experience. India’s clash in Indore will be a battle of skill and strategy, with both teams vying for a top-four spot. - October 23, 2025: India vs. New Zealand
Venue: ACA Stadium, Guwahati, India
New Zealand, led by Sophie Devine, are a formidable side with a strong bowling attack. Guwahati’s pitch could offer bounce, making this an intriguing matchup for India’s spinners. - October 26, 2025: India vs. Bangladesh
Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, India
India’s final league match against Bangladesh is a chance to secure a semi-final berth. While Bangladesh may be underdogs, their spinners could pose a challenge on Bengaluru’s spin-friendly pitch.
Venues Hosting India’s Matches
India’s matches will be spread across four iconic venues in India, with one exception in Colombo for the Pakistan game. Here’s a closer look at the stadiums:
- M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru: Hosting India’s opening and closing league matches, this stadium is known for its vibrant crowd and batting-friendly pitches. It’s also a potential venue for the second semi-final and final.
- ACA-VDCA Stadium, Visakhapatnam: India will play two matches here against South Africa and Australia. The coastal venue may assist pace bowlers early on, adding intrigue to these encounters.
- Holkar Stadium, Indore: The venue for India’s clash with England, this stadium often produces high-scoring games, testing both batting and bowling units.
- ACA Stadium, Guwahati: Hosting India’s match against New Zealand, this venue could offer assistance to seamers, making it a tactical battleground.
- R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo: The neutral venue for India vs. Pakistan, this stadium is known for its spin-friendly conditions, which could favor India’s spinners like Deepti Sharma.
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Knockout Stages: Semi-Finals and Final
The semi-finals are scheduled for October 29 and 30, 2025:
- Semi-Final 1: Guwahati or Colombo (if Pakistan qualifies), October 29
- Semi-Final 2: Bengaluru, October 30
The final on November 2, 2025, will be held in Bengaluru unless Pakistan reaches the title clash, in which case it will shift to Colombo. The top-ranked team after the group stage will face the fourth-placed side in the first semi-final, while the second and third-placed teams will compete in the second.
Team India’s Road to Glory
Led by Harmanpreet Kaur and featuring stars like Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Deepti Sharma, India are determined to win their first Women’s World Cup title. Having reached the final in 2017 and the semi-finals in 2022, India’s squad has the experience and depth to go all the way. The home advantage, coupled with passionate fan support, will be crucial. India’s warm-up matches against England (September 24, Bengaluru) and South Africa (September 27, Guwahati) will help fine-tune their strategies.
Key Players to Watch
- Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain): A dynamic batter and leader, her ability to anchor or accelerate innings will be pivotal.
- Smriti Mandhana: India’s stylish opener will be key against top bowling attacks like Australia and England.
- Deepti Sharma: A world-class all-rounder, her spin bowling and clutch batting could turn matches.
- Shafali Verma: The young opener’s aggressive style can set the tone in powerplays.
ICC Women’s ODI Team Rankings (As of October 2024)
While exact rankings for 2025 are not yet available, as of October 28, 2024, the ICC Women’s ODI Team Rankings placed Australia at the top, followed by England, New Zealand, and South Africa. India, likely ranked in the top five, will face stiff competition. The final two teams (from Pakistan, West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland, or Thailand) will emerge from the Qualifier in Pakistan.
Why This Tournament Matters
The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 is a landmark event for women’s cricket, showcasing the sport’s growth and global appeal. For India, it’s a chance to make history by winning their first title on home soil. The tournament’s hybrid model, with matches in India and Sri Lanka, adds a unique flavor, while the India-Pakistan clash on October 5 is sure to draw massive viewership. With tickets going on pre-sale from June 12, 2025, fans are already buzzing with excitement.
