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

The elections for the Associate Member representatives on the Chief Executives’ Comittee have given a surprise to all, with three newcomers earning seats on the influential decision-making of the International Cricket Council (ICC). On the opening day of the annual conference, it was a sight to watch out for regarding the chief executive committee.

Gurumurthy Palani of France, Hong Kong’s Anurag Bhatnagar, and Gurdeep Klair of Canada were elected ahead of the fancied incumbents, Sumod Damodar and Sankar Renganathan. It was a huge surprise in the entire decision of the annual conference as Damodar promised his commitment to the game to keep growing despite the new decision.

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‘My commitment to cricket will continue as the game is bigger than all else.’ Damodar, who is a veteran administrator from the African nation and the only incumbent in the fray, expressed in the discussion. He ended in the fourth position with 16 votes, while Palani and Bhatnagar got 28 votes each. Klair received 21 votes from the 45-member electoral college, with all the members having a tenure of two years.

New ICC Chief Executive Committee elected at the ICC annual conference

The role of the CEC is to promote and develop the game worldwide, besides governing and regulating the sport at the international level. It’s a highly coveted position for the Associated Chiefs and is seen as the stepping stone to get onto the ICC board, where the real power lies in global cricket.

Ranganathan came as a wildcard, and he has also been well-known as an outspoken critic of the USA cricket team, which is now facing suspension. The votes were made up from the 40 associate members and five regional representatives, which are America, Asia, Europe, East Asia-Pacific, and Africa. Under the rules of the ICC, the candidates had to be a representative of the current or past ICC director or an Associate member.

These newly elected members will have a two-year contract as they will also be part of the Associate member committee and will help to govern and regulate the Associate level. The election took place before the new chief executive, Sanjog Gupta, and his Indian counterpart, Jay Shah, along with some other members.

The first Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the International Cricket Council (ICC) under new chairman Jay Shah is set to take place in Singapore from July 17. This four-day gathering marks the beginning of a new phase for international cricket governance and will be the first ICC meeting attended by newly appointed CEO Sanjog Gupta. A number of major issues are likely to dominate discussions at the gathering.

Among the headline stories will be the proposed introduction of a two-tier Test system. The system, said to be favored by Australia and England, envisions a promotion-relegation arrangement in the traditional format. Leading teams such as India, England, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand would possibly be in a higher tier, with below-par teams in the Test rankings possibly moving to a second level. However, this model will not affect the current World Test Championship (2025–27) and would be implemented only after that cycle, subject to approval.

Expansion is also expected to be a key theme. The T20 World Cup, currently contested by 20 teams, might be expanded to 24 teams after the 2026 edition. Moreover, with cricket returning to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the meeting will also focus on finalizing the qualification structure for the event. These topics highlight the ICC's desire to develop the game globally and also make it more inclusive.

ICC Eyes Membership Expansion and Financial Oversight

Another important discussion point at the AGM will be ICC members, as Zambia is expected to be reinstated as an Associate Member following its suspension in 2019, and East Timor is hoping to become a member of the ICC for the first time. This move will further the ICC’s efforts to globalize the game and support emerging cricket nations. The election of Associate Members onto the Chief Executives Committee (CEC) will also be held during the conference.

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Additionally, financial mismanagement of the 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies will come under scrutiny. Allegations of overspending during the tournament reportedly caused former ICC CEO Geoff Allardice to resign earlier this year. Sanjog Gupta will provide a detailed report on the issue, including accountability processes and future financial guidelines.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) will meet for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) from July 17 to 19, which will be hosted by the Singapore Cricket Association. All the representatives from the 108 member nations will meet to discuss various topics, including the potential reforms of the game and the future of women’s cricket. The members will also elect the ICC Chief Executive Committee CEC, whose mandate expired in March 2025.

The members of the Africa Cricket Association (ACA) will also adopt the new ACA Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI) and elect a new ACA Board. The ICC is considering a plan to form a working group to examine the recent recommendations put forward by the Cricket Committee, chaired by Sourav Ganguly, former India Captain.

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They held preliminary discussions on the World Cricket Association (WCA), which has made several recommendations, including a restructuring of the ICC governance and a review of the existing financial distribution model. It will be the start of a new era after the recent appointment of Sanjog Gupta on the heels of Jay Shah’s ascension as ICC chair.

Annual General Meeting 2025: ICC to discuss India-Pakistan tension, Test future

One of the topics of the meeting is expected to be around the T20 qualification tournaments, not rankings, for the determination of which countries will qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The six men’s and women’s T20 competition will be played from July 12 to 29in Pomina. However, it seems like the ICC T20 rankings at the cut-off date are expected to be the likely outcome.

There can be probable discussions around the Test future where they may split the nations into two divisions with a promotion and relegation system, which means the funds will be distributed on the same basis. It has also been revealed that the WTC final is expected to stay in England. No decisions to be made, but discussions could be around the future of the white-ball tournaments. It appears that there is no desire to expand the ODI World Cup, but the momentum has already been built for the T20 World Cup.

Twenty teams will compete at last year’s event, as the number will remain the same for the next season. USA cricket is facing suspension of its ICC membership, which may affect the funding and playing chances of the players. There could also be a sideline discussion on the Asia Cup despite the strained relations between India and Pakistan.

A part of cricket fans are curious about the future of Jay Shah at the International Cricket Council (ICC) as Sanjog Gupta got a brand new appointment letter and is ready to take a new role at the ICC, which left the question, 'Is Jay Shah set to leave the ICC?' across social media platforms. 

As per the latest developments, Sanjog Gupta will take over as the seventh CEO of the ICC on July 7, 2025, as the Chief Executive Officer of the council. Gupta's predecessor, Geoff Allardice, stepped down from the role in January this year after having taken over in an interim capacity in 2020 and then on a full-time basis in 2021. Now, Sanjog Gupta will take over the prestigious job to take ICC forward. 

Is Jay Shah leaving the International Cricket Council? 

The recent rumors about Shah's future spread across the social media platforms are completely baseless. Shah is the chairman of the International Cricket Council, and Gupta is appointed as the CEO of the cricket governing body. So, Shah remains effective in his ICC duties. 

ICC appoints India's Sanjog Gupta as its new Chief Executive. #ICC pic.twitter.com/H41dvAfaaz

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 7, 2025

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Who is Sanjog Gupta? 

Sanjog Gupta has a very strong curriculum vitae and years of experience in this sector of sports. Previously, Gupta worked as the CEO of sports and live experiences at JioStar. The appointment of Gupta marked ICC's global recruitment process. Jay Shah is pleased to announce the recruitment in the office. 

"I am pleased to announce that Sanjog Gupta has been appointed as the CEO of the ICC. Sanjog brings extensive experience in sports strategy and commercialization, which will be invaluable for the ICC," ICC chairman Jay said in an official statement. 

The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025, which saw South Africa and Australia play at Lord's, has created a new record for broadcast and digital viewing in India. The match that happened from June 11 to June 14 that had great drama ended with South Africa winning by five wickets in their first WTC title.

This third edition of the WTC Final became Star Sports network’s highest-rated and most-watched non-India Test match on television, clocking an impressive 2.94 billion minutes of viewing and reaching 47 million viewers. On digital platforms, the match recorded 225 million views—the highest ever for a non-India Test—nearly matching the audience figures for the 2023 final between India and Australia at The Oval.

A total of 109,227 fans went to Lord's over four days, further demonstrating the fixture's appeal. There were also some astounding performances from Aiden Markram, who scored 136 to win the match in the fourth innings, and Kagiso Rabada, who took nine wickets in the match, which helped South Africa achieve a famous victory.

Jay Shah Hails Global Passion for Test Cricket and Broadcast Excellence

ICC Chairman Jay Shah highlighted the significance of the record-breaking viewership numbers with the news, particularly in India.

“The remarkable viewership numbers for the ICC World Test Championship Final, across both broadcast and digital platforms, are a powerful testament to the appeal of high-quality Test cricket and the elevated context of the WTC Final,” said Shah.
“This format continues to command a loyal and passionate global following and remains an integral part of our sport’s identity.”

The remarkable broadcast and digital audience numbers in India for the @ICC #WTC25 Final clearly shows this format of our sport commands a dedicated following. A special mention to @StarSportsIndia and @JioHotstar for their innovative and immersive coverage of the Ultimate Test. pic.twitter.com/cH4WMGm1qW

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) July 1, 2025

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He also applauded the role of the ICC’s broadcast partner in enhancing the match experience for viewers.
“A special mention to JioStar, whose innovative and immersive coverage captured the drama, emotion, and atmosphere of the ‘Ultimate Test’ in a way that deeply resonated with audiences around the world.”

“What makes this success even more special is the enthusiasm shown by fans in regions beyond the two competing nations, reaffirming that cricket’s reach is truly international and that the purest form of the game can thrive beyond national affiliations.”

Another proud moment for Indian cricket. Jay Shah, the chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), has been named in the list of Open Minds 2025 under the Public Square category. In the list, Shah is one of the youngest candidates to be named. 

On June 27, 2025, 'Open' issued their 16th anniversary edition, where they listed multiple successful personalities from various fields. Jay Shah, in this edition, is labeled as the 'Master of the Game.' Jay Shah's career as a cricket board official started with the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA). After being an executive board member of the Central Board of Cricket, Ahmedabad, starting in 2009, Shah became the joint secretary of the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) in September 2013.

From there, he marked his footprint in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and then in the ICC. Shah has come a long way. In 2015, he became a member of the finance and marketing committees of BCCI. In 2019, he was elected as the secretary of BCCI, the youngest of the five office bearers. In January 2021 (ACC), the Asian Cricket Council appointed Shah as the president. 

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Here's the piece about the journey of Jay Shah 

"As Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India from 2019 to 2024, Jay Shah had a superlative innings that included the successful hosting of the One Day International World Cup in India, raising the pay of women cricket­ers, steering Indian cricket through Covid, boosting financial revenues, and more. He then took over as the International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman in December 2024 and has brought in the same efficiency," the article stated this about Jay Shah.

"The ICC Champions Trophy was executed to wide viewership. When the Indian team was apprehensive about security for a match against Pakistan in that country, the venue was shifted to the UAE quickly. And high on Shah’s agenda is the globalization of cricket and overseeing the sport becoming part of the next Olympics in 2028."

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has updated the playing conditions for T20 Internationals, specifically focusing on powerplay overs in shortened matches. Instead of using rounded-off figures, the new regulation specifies exact powerplay durations based on the number of overs in an innings. For example, an eight-over innings will now have a 2.2-over powerplay, with only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle during this phase. This move introduces greater accuracy and consistency in reduced-overs games.

Under the revised rules, powerplay lengths will now vary more precisely depending on innings length. In a six-over match, the powerplay would be no more than 1.5 overs of powerplay, in a seven-over innings, 2.1 overs would be the amount of powerplay, and in a nine-over game would have 2.4 overs of powerplay. These amendments illustrate the ICC's desire to improve fairness and structure in rain-affected or heavily shortened T20I matches, and to help achieve a balance between bat and ball under shorter matches.

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Number of Powerplay overs as per new rule:

5 overs: 1.3 overs | 6 overs: 1.5 overs | 7 overs: 2.1 overs |
8 overs: 2.2 overs | 9 overs: 2.4 overs |10 overs: 3.0 overs |
11 overs: 3.2 overs |12 overs: 3.4 overs | 13 overs: 3.5 overs |
14 overs: 4.1 overs |15 overs: 4.3 overs |16 overs: 4.5 overs

These new regulations will be implemented starting in July, aiming to ensure consistency and fairness in playing conditions, regardless of the length of a shortened match.

ICC also makes changes in playing conditions

The ICC has announced several changes to playing conditions across formats, according to ESPN Cricinfo. In ODIs, only one ball will be used from the 35th over onwards. The use of saliva remains banned, and if a team is found deliberately applying it, umpires will not replace the ball. Instead, five penalty runs will be awarded to the batting side. The ball can only be changed if its condition has significantly altered. Additionally, a stop-clock rule has been introduced in Test cricket to reduce time delays between overs.

Under the new stop-clock rule, the fielding team must be ready to begin a new over within 60 seconds of the previous one ending. Two warnings will be issued by the umpires for delays, and any repeated offense after that will result in a five-run penalty. These warnings will reset after every 80 overs. The rule has been effective from the start of the 2025–27 WTC cycle. Also, if the batting team takes a short run deliberately, they’ll face a five-run penalty. Fielding teams can now also choose which batter they want to face the next ball.

On June 23, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and International Cricket Council (ICC) chair Jay Shah celebrated Olympic Day with a goal of bringing the Games to India. The Olympic Day is an IOC initiative that is celebrated annually on June 23 to commemorate the birth of the Olympic Games. While cricket is expected to be an integral sport in which India will participate, Jay Shah's vision also encompasses bringing more games to India outside of cricket.

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A historic leap for cricket as it joins the Olympic movement

Both the BCCI and the ICC chair took to their respective Twitter handles to celebrate this auspicious occasion on Olympic Day. The scope of the game has risen in recent times as cricket is all set to be featured in the upcoming 2028 Olympics for the first time in 128 years. Utilizing their individual social media accounts, they additionally endorsed the 'Let's Move +1 India' initiative organized by the International Olympic Committee in partnership with the Abhinav Bindra Foundation and Reliance Foundation.

“Cricket has always united us, and now, it’s part of the Olympic movement!" Shah wrote on X. “On this #OlympicDay, let’s celebrate the power of sport to inspire, connect, and uplift. Invite your +1 for a walk, a run, or a game of cricket, and take a step towards a stronger, healthier India. Together, let’s keep moving forward on our journey to bring the Olympic Games home!"

Cricket has joined the Olympic movement- a historic leap for our beloved sport! 🏏

This #OlympicDay, let’s celebrate the power of sports to connect and inspire. Through the #LetsMove campaign, we invite you to pick your +1 and move - whether it’s a walk, a run, or a game of… pic.twitter.com/U6kVP7I8NA

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 23, 2025

Following the submission of an expression of interest (EOI) to host the 2032 Summer Olympics, India has also raised their request to host the 2036 edition, with the city of Ahmedabad likely going to play host. It will encounter significant competition from Poland, Indonesia, South Africa, Qatar, Hungary, Turkiye, Mexico, and Egypt, all of whom are also contenders. Cricket is set to be included in the Games starting from the 2028 edition.

In a ground-breaking development, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is carefully mulling over the possibility of introducing four-day Tests for smaller nations in the 2027-29 World Test Championship cycle. By truncating the match by one day, the governing body aims to help the small ICC members maximize the opportunity to play more cricket. If implemented, the change would go down as one of the most radical changes by the ICC in recent times. 

However, according to reports, three countries will be exempted from this plan. India, Australia, and England will continue to play five-day Test matches. 

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Jay Shah offers his support for a four-day Test

According to a report published by "The Guardian" newspaper, the ICC chair Jay Shah had an interaction with the officials during the WTC Final at Lord's, where he reportedly expressed his desire to have a four-day Test setup in place before the next WTC cycle. 

"During discussions last week at the WTC final at Lord's, the ICC chair, Jay Shah, is understood to have expressed his support for four-day Tests, with a view to sanctioning them in time for the 2027-29 WTC cycle."

The report further added that countries such as India, Australia, and England are exempt from the plan and are permitted to host a five-match Test series comprising five matches for their respective bilateral series, like the Ashes, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and the newly named Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. 

The smaller nations face challenges while playing five-day Tests, as it is often tight on their already congested schedule and entails a lot of cost. But by reducing the length of a Test match, small teams can have longer series, even though the days that they play may remain short. 

"Many smaller nations are reluctant to host Tests due to the time they take out of the schedule and the cost, but a move to four-day cricket would enable an entire three-Test series to be played in less than three weeks."

The four-day Test theory is not new to the ICC. The global cricketing body has previously sanctioned four-day Tests in the past. Four-day Tests came into existence for bilateral competitions in 2017. England itself took part in some of those games. They faced Zimbabwe in a one-off four-day Test earlier last month, and also played against Ireland back in 2019 and 2023 in a one-off showdown as well.