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.

Scotland’s women’s cricket team has scripted history by securing their maiden qualification for the Women’s T20 World Cup. Scotland have defeated Ireland in the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier by 8 wickets.

Overview of the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier

The Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier, held in Abu Dhabi, witnessed the participation of ten teams competing for two coveted spots in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Teams were divided into two groups, vying for a chance to advance to the semi-finals and eventually secure a berth in the tournament in Bangladesh.

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Scotland’s Victory over Ireland

Scotland faced Ireland in the first semi-final in Abu Dhabi in a crucial encounter. Ireland, batting first, posted a modest total of 110-9, with Kathryn Bryce and Katherine Fraser wreaking havoc with the ball. Scotland’s Megan McColl played a stellar inning, guiding her team to a comfortable victory and securing their place in the finals of the Qualifiers.

Performance in the Qualifiers

Scotland’s journey in the Qualifiers showcased its resilience and determination. Despite facing formidable opponents, it displayed exemplary cricketing skills and team spirit. Finishing second in the points table, Scotland clinched three wins out of four games, setting the stage for its historic semi-final triumph.

Scotland’s Historic Achievement

This was the first time in nine editions that Scotland will play in the Women’s T20 World Cup. Scotland Women, who played their first T20I in 2018, have won 33 games in their 56 T20I outings thus far. They were placed in Group A in the Qualifiers along with Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uganda and the United States.

The Women’s T20 World Cup will begin on October 3, with the final on October 20. The winners of the Qualifiers will be placed in Group 1 along with Australia, India, New Zealand and Pakistan while the runners-up will be in Group B with Bangladesh, England, South Africa and West Indies.