Former Australia captain Meg Lanning has lavished praise on India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, a previous member of the Australian national team, for her leadership skills and for her innings in the 2017 World Cup semi-final match. Lanning said that Kaur was a captain who was able to get results herself or as a captain by the way she moved her team around the ground, and that it was "always a good challenge" to face a team with Kaur as captain.

On her memories of facing Kaur in the 2017 semi-final match in Derby after Kaur scored an unreal 171 not out, Lanning clearly remembered every plan Australia tried; Kaur had an answer. "We had every plan, but she had an answer to it," Lanning reiterated the assistance felt on the ground during that day, noting Kaur's autos are where we met when." "Once Harman got going, we couldn't do anything; she was just hitting every ball we bowled for 4." The innings was exceptional and dismantled the Australian attack at the same time, raising Kaur's stature as one of the meanest competitors in women's cricket.

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Lanning on Kaur’s leadership and World Cup challenge

As they look ahead to the challenges that await Kaur and the Indian team while hosting the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025, Lanning reflected on the pressures surrounding the current moment. Drawing on her own experience of leading Australia for their home World Cup, Lanning noted the pressure that comes with it (really good pressure) and that being in the spotlight comes with benefits, as a home World Cup is the best, as the home fans backing you and being able to draw energy and motivation from them is also really special. 

The competitive nature of their leadership rivalry has been on display in the Women's Premier League (WPL) as well. In the 2023 final, Lanning captained the Delhi Capitals and Kaur captained the Mumbai Indians. Lanning admitted that the Mumbai squad had "a lot of great players" and was a great challenge for her team. While at the same time, Lanning found what she believed was a strong opening partnership with Shafali Verma as the best opening partnership in the tournament! Ultimately, though, it was Kaur's Mumbai Indians who won the match, claiming the first WPL title.

For her part, Harmanpreet has also given the highest regard for Lanning's captaincy, describing Lanning's competitiveness and ability to lead Australia and win multiple ICC trophies with Australia. Both leaders acknowledge the respect they have for each other, but also that they are still both building a legacy as leaders of women's cricket.

The race to gain qualification to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Global Qualifier has begun, with both Ireland and the Netherlands qualifying from the Europe region. The Netherlands qualified in style with a 65-run win over Germany, and they join Ireland as the two European countries that qualified for the next stage of the event. 

Ireland made their mark in the European Qualifier, having won their first five matches in a row, which ensured they finished top. The Dutch kept their focus in a must-win match against Germany, knowing that a win would finish them in the top two, regardless of what happened in Italy's final game against Ireland. The performance showed how the women's game is growing in the Netherlands, and it is encouraging to see it consistently progressing.

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European Teams Eye World Cup Berths After Qualifier Success

With these outcomes, Ireland and the Netherlands will now compete in the Global Qualifier, where a total of 10 teams will compete for 4 spots at the Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in England in 2026. Hey, now join Scotland and Bangladesh, who have already secured direct qualification for the qualifier as a result of being there in the 2024 edition of the tournament.

Other areas have also contributed a number of teams to the whole. The USA qualified from the Americas in March 2025, and Bhutan and Thailand qualified from the Asia Qualifier in May.  The final three spots will come in upcoming regional tournaments in Africa and East Asia Pacific, and set the scene for a mix of teams for a competitive tournament. 

The Global Qualifier is going to be an incredible tournament, with some established teams, as well as countries aspiring for a chance on the world stage. For Ireland and the Netherlands, getting to this point signifies their regional prowess and gives them a great opportunity to challenge themselves against stronger international opponents.

As anticipation builds from all parts of Europe, I know that European cricket fans will be paying attention to their teams' preparations and wishing these two teams further historical achievements to qualify for the Women’s T20 World Cup in England.

The ICC has announced a modified schedule for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025, which will see Navi Mumbai as one of the five venues for the eight-team event. This change results from the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru being unavailable. Navi Mumbai's DY Patil stadium will host up to five fixtures (Lord's & Oval) - three league-stage matches, a semi-final, and possibly the final on November 2.

The tournament dates (September 30 - November 2) will not change, and the other venues - ACA stadium (Guwahati), Holkar Stadium (Indore), ACA-VDCA stadium (Visakhapatnam,) and R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo, Sri Lanka), remain unchanged.

ICC chairman Jay Shah regarding the change

ICC Chairman Jay Shah was upbeat about the new destination for women's cricket going forward: "In the past few years Navi Mumbai has shaped into a real home for women's cricket, both in terms of support it has garnered during international matches and the exciting atmosphere present during the matches of the Women's Premier League that seriously uplift the players and attract so many fans. I believe the atmosphere in Navi Mumbai will match the excitement of the larger matches of ICC Women's Cricket World Cup as we bring the tournament back to India after 12 years. "Unfortunately, we were forced to change the venue; however, the tournament will be an important celebration of the women's game to connect new fans."

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ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 – Full Schedule

League Stage Fixtures

Knockout Stage

Warm-up Matches

Bangladesh is following all avenues it can in order to make an impact at the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in India and Sri Lanka on September 30.

This will be only Bangladesh’s second appearance at a Women’s World Cup (after their debut at New Zealand in 2022, where they had a single win). In order to surpass their last success, the team has been preparing for this WC with mixed training camps, practice matches, and match-scenario drills to better players’ skills and mindset.

At present, a number of players competing for the World Cup have played in the recent three-team Challenge Cup tournament in Savar before the entire squad relocates to Sylhet in early September. In Sylhet, the players will attend a nine-day training camp with a focus on three practice matches under day-night conditions that will be crucial as all seven group matches for Bangladesh in this year’s tournament will be day-night matches.

Chief selector Sazzad Ahmed Shipon reiterated the necessity of replicating World Cup scenarios as accurately as possible. “The girls will have a six-day break following the Challenge Cup. After that, we are taking the team to Sylhet for a nine-day practice camp. We will have three practice matches under lights, and there will be match scenarios too,” Shipon told The Daily Star.

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Nigar Sultana Joty’s side blends experience and preparation as they look to surpass their 2022 debut

After Sylhet, the squad will then return to Dhaka and continue under lights again before departing for Colombo, where they will play warm-up matches against South Africa and Sri Lanka ahead of their October 2 World Cup opener against Pakistan.

Captain Nigar Sultana Joty will lead the campaign again after Bangladesh's phenomenal advancement of the game in women's cricket recently. The team hopes to build on previous performances as they have experienced players like Fargana Hoque, while aiming for consistency and resilience.

With camp organization, hard practice matches, and a plan of action, Bangladesh is giving itself every opportunity to rise on the world stage. Their journey from New Zealand 2022 to India and Sri Lanka 2025 is one of self-belief, preparation, and a burning desire to prove they are eligible to be counted among the elite.

Bengaluru is officially off the venue list for the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, with Thiruvananthapuram’s Greenfield International Stadium poised to take its place. The tournament, scheduled from September 30 to November 2, will see the Kerala capital host matches that were originally allotted to the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Safety concerns after the June stampede force Bengaluru out of the Women’s ODI World Cup

The change comes after the Karnataka government declined to grant permission for hosting games in Bengaluru due to safety concerns following the tragic June 4 stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory celebrations. The incident, which claimed 11 lives and left over 50 injured, led to a government-appointed inquiry that found the Chinnaswamy Stadium “unsuitable and unsafe” for mass gatherings.

The Justice John Michael D’Cunha Commission’s report cited flaws in the stadium’s design and structure, warning that high-attendance events posed “unacceptable risks” to public safety, traffic management, and emergency preparedness. The findings have already forced the KSCA to shift the domestic Maharaja T20 Trophy and Maharani T20 matches to Mysuru and Alur, respectively.

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Bengaluru had been slated to host five matches, including the high-profile tournament opener between India and Sri Lanka on September 30, as well as one semi-final and potentially the final on November 2. England vs South Africa (October 3) and India vs Bangladesh (October 26) were among other key fixtures scheduled in the city, alongside two warm-up games.

Thiruvananthapuram joins host cities as the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup heads to the sub-continent

With the venue change, the ICC is expected to release an updated schedule soon. Sources indicate that Thiruvananthapuram was favoured over Hyderabad due to favourable weather conditions in late September and its proximity to Colombo, another tournament venue.

While the Greenfield Stadium has yet to host women’s international cricket, it boasts experience from staging four men’s T20Is, two ODIs, youth internationals, and serving as a warm-up venue for the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup. However, rain washed out the men’s warm-up matches in that tournament.

The 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup will be played in a round-robin format among eight teams - Australia (defending champions), Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, and Sri Lanka, with matches spread across Visakhapatnam, Indore, Guwahati, Colombo, and now Thiruvananthapuram.

This edition will also mark the first women’s global cricket event in the sub-continent since the 2016 Women’s T20 World Cup and the first Women’s ODI World Cup in India since 2013.

With 50 days left for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, the Indian women’s team is speaking with a confidence that feels different, calmer, sharper, and built on years of growth. At the heart of this shift is star opener Smriti Mandhana’s belief that the team’s mindset has undergone a transformation.

“The mindset has changed over the last two or three years. There’s a calmness with which I want to go about on the field,” Mandhana said at the tournament’s countdown event in Mumbai.

That calmness, she explained, comes from knowing exactly where to focus her efforts and how to execute effectively under pressure. With a preparation camp, a successful England tour, and one more series before the big event, India are entering the tournament with a settled plan and a united dressing room. “Whenever we’ve done well, everything else has taken care of itself,” she added.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, leading in her first ODI World Cup, echoed Mandhana’s sentiment but added her determination to finally bring home India’s first senior ICC trophy. “This time, I hope we will give our 100 per cent and break that final barrier,” she said, pointing to the belief built through recent series wins, including a landmark triumph in England.

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Fearless Youth, Past Memories, and Calm Confidence Fuel India’s Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Dream

Jemimah Rodrigues highlighted how the Women’s Premier League has helped create a fearless environment for new players, citing pacer Kranti Gaud’s match-winning performances in England. Former captain Mithali Raj, who led India to the 2017 final, believes the current combination of form, depth, and home advantage makes this team a genuine contender.

The memories of 2017, Harmanpreet’s unforgettable 171*, the near-miss in the final, and the unprecedented fan reception back home still fuel the side. But this time, they are not just driven by the dream of making history. They carry a calm, assured belief that they can.

India open their CWC25 campaign against Sri Lanka at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on September 30. The countdown is on, and Smriti Mandhana’s words perfectly capture the mood: confident, composed, and ready.

New Zealand all-rounder Thamsyn Newton has brought her cricketing career to a close, finishing a 14-year journey during which she represented the White Ferns twice in ICC World Cups and off the back of several domestic titles.

Newton, 30, made her international debut in 2015 in a T20I against Sri Lanka, and gave a tidy bowling performance before making her ODI debut in 2016 against Australia, taking the wicket of opening batter Nicole Bolton. The Kiwi played 10 ODIs and 15 T20Is, taking 11 and nine wickets respectively. Her best ODIs include a five-wicket haul against Pakistan, and her best T20I figures of 3/9 came in just her third game.

Overall, opportunities with the bat were limited for Newton, scoring 57 runs in ODIs and 22 in T20Is during her international career. In the domestic space, Newton was known for her big hitting, so it was surprising she didn't clear the boundary in her T20I career. Her last ODI match was in 2017, and her last T20I match was in 2021.

 Domestic Success and International Experience

Newton was a constant presence in New Zealand’s domestic tournaments. She won the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield once with both Canterbury and Wellington. She won the Super Smash four times with Wellington. Her last professional appearance was between the Central Districts in the Women’s One-Day Competition. In that match, she failed to score a run and didn’t bowl.

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The all-rounder had a brief period in Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League representing Perth Scorchers in the 2017/18 season. She scored 50 runs in eight innings and took six wickets at an average of 23.33.

A Capacity Athlete and a Valued Competitor

In addition to her cricket, Newton has once again demonstrated her versatility as an athlete by playing rugby for Wellington Pride and Hawke's Bay Tui in the Farah Palmer Cup. Showing that she is a multi-talented athlete.

From making her White Ferns debut to lifting several trophies on the domestic scene, Newton's career has been one of consistency, flexibility, and competition. Her international numbers do not begin to express the value she added to the teams she played for; her contribution (in terms of ball in hand and fielding) will stay in New Zealand women's cricket.

When Newton leaves, she will have memories to treasure, she will have trophies, and she will have the admiration of her teammates and supporters alike - a fitting legacy for a loyal and versatile participant.

Nat Sciver-Brunt has achieved a rare double in franchise cricket, becoming the first player, male or female, to score 1,000 runs in The Hundred and also the first to reach 1,000 runs in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Her landmark in The Hundred came during the 2025 season for Trent Rockets, when she crossed the four-figure mark to finish as the tournament’s all-time leading scorer.

Most Runs – Women’s Hundred

Sciver-Brunt’s record in The Hundred is built on consistent match-winning performances, powerful stroke play, and an ability to score quickly without compromising on stability. She stands well ahead of her nearest rival, underlining her dominance in the format.

In the Women’s Premier League, Sciver-Brunt has been just as unstoppable for the Mumbai Indians. On March 15, 2025, during the WPL Final against Delhi Capitals, she became the first to cross 1,000 career runs in the league’s short history.

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That milestone was part of a remarkable 2025 season where she scored 523 runs, becoming the first player to pass 500 runs in a single WPL season. She ended the year as both Orange Cap winner and Most Valuable Player.

Most Runs – Women’s Premier League

A Rare Double

Being the first to 1,000 runs in two separate high-profile tournaments is an unprecedented achievement. It reflects not only Sciver-Brunt’s world-class batting skills but also her adaptability to different conditions and match situations.

Whether it’s the explosive atmosphere of The Hundred in England or the high-stakes clashes of the WPL in India, Nat Sciver-Brunt has proven herself the gold standard for batting excellence in women’s cricket.

Fielding Woes and Missed Opportunities Leave England Searching for Answers. England Women's cricket team is facing increased scrutiny after a 2-1 ODI series defeat to India, with questions being raised not just from pundits but from within their own ranks, most notably, former fast bowler Katherine Sciver-Brunt. Following a 13-run loss in the decider at Durham, Sciver-Brunt, now a broadcaster, publicly challenged the team’s discipline and desire, comments that have sparked considerable debate and drawn a firm response from current players and management.

“It looks lazy and like they don’t care” – Katherine Sciver-Brunt

Katherine, England’s leading ODI wicket-taker and wife of current captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, didn’t hold back during her commentary on BBC Test Match Special. She questioned whether all players were fully committed to the cause, suggesting some performances came across as lacking intent or intensity.

“To me, it looks lazy and like they don’t care,” she said. “It came across to me as bad attitude and no discipline. I don’t think everyone is doing everything they possibly can.” While she acknowledged that this wasn’t the case for every player, the former Pacer’s critique pointed to a wider issue: mental strength and internal fight. She called on the side to be more expressive, courageous, and front-footed in pressure situations.

Nat Sciver-Brunt Responds: “Everyone is committed.”

Speaking after the match, Nat Sciver-Brunt defended her players, stressing that what may seem like apathy from the outside doesn’t reflect what goes on internally. “I know everyone on that pitch is committed to doing the best they can for England,” she said. “I’ve been put in that situation before when I was younger ‘She looks so relaxed. Maybe she doesn’t care, but that’s not what’s happening inside.”

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Nat’s own innings of 98 off 105 deliveries, in a record-chase attempt that fell just short, exemplified the kind of fight and resilience that she believes the team still possesses. The latest defeat adds to a growing concern about England's fielding and on-field composure. Fielding errors were prevalent throughout the multi-format summer, notably during the Ashes and the T20 World Cup last year. Six dropped catches in a recent T20I at The Oval reignited questions around focus and sharpness.

In the final ODI, England's chase of 319 faltered despite a 162-run partnership between Nat and Emma Lamb. Missed lbw reviews and another scrappy fielding display didn’t help their cause. India’s win, built on Harmanpreet Kaur’s hundred and Kranti Goud’s six-wicket haul, sealed the series and raised fresh alarms just 10 weeks out from the ODI World Cup.

Edwards Backs Players as Off-Field Distractions Mount

Head coach Charlotte Edwards came to the team's defence, firmly backing the squad's professionalism and unity. “I couldn’t be happier with where the squad’s at, in terms of their attitude and effort,” she said. “That was something I made clear when I came into this role, and I’ve seen that reflected in how the group operates.” Edwards, who shares a long history with Katherine Sciver-Brunt as former teammates, acknowledged the external criticism but stood by her current players.

The England camp also had to deal with off-field noise involving Sophie Ecclestone and former spinner Alex Hartley. Ecclestone clarified she had opted not to do a Sky Sports interview with Hartley to focus on her warm-up routine months after Hartley said she had been “given the cold shoulder” following critical comments she made about England’s fitness last year.

Managing Director Clare Connor addressed that controversy post-Ashes, stressing the importance of media engagement and professionalism under growing public scrutiny. “As professional women’s cricket has developed, that scrutiny is something that we all have to embrace and accept,” Connor said.

With the 50-over World Cup in India on the horizon, England now have to improve its tactics, but also contend with perceptions about their mental fortitude and togetherness as a team. Questions will continue to surround their on-field intent, leadership approach, and tension between being calm and aggressive. England’s World Cup campaign in India could be critical not only for results but to quiet the distractions that now surround them from their own dressroom and outside.

Harmanpreet Kaur couldn’t have picked a better time to shine. In the final and most important match of the series, the Indian captain played one of her finest knocks a brilliant 102 off just 84 balls to help India post a big total and seal the series against England.

She started slowly but picked up pace beautifully, showing once again why she’s one of the best in the game when it comes to accelerating an innings. Her hundred came off just 82 balls the second fastest by an Indian woman in ODIs.

This innings wasn’t just about helping the team win. It was also full of personal milestones. Harmanpreet became only the third Indian woman to cross 4,000 runs in ODIs, after legends Mithali Raj and Smriti Mandhana. She also matched Mithali’s tally of seven hundreds in the format  with only Smriti ahead of her with 11.

🚨 HISTORY FOR HARMANPREET 🚨

- Harmanpreet Kaur becomes first Visiting player to score 3 ODI Hundreds in England in Women's Cricket. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/1QO9AJTseF

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) July 22, 2025

More importantly, this was her third century in England the most by any visiting batter in women’s ODIs. Her love for batting in England continues to grow. Her first came in the 2017 World Cup semifinal against Australia the unforgettable 171. The second was a powerful 143* in Canterbury in 2022. And now, this match-winning 102.

India finished with 318/5, with a strong partnership between Harmanpreet and Jemimah Rodrigues in the final overs. After both teams had won one match each in the series, this decider was all about who wanted it more. Harmanpreet, the captain, played a fantastic innings in the decider, and the team scored 318 runs, losing 5 wickets.