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.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the 15-member squad for the upcoming home Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 in late autumn. The event will begin on September 30 with the home side taking on Sri Lanka at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, as the final is scheduled to take place at the same venue on November 02.

Under Harmanpreet Kaur, India’s curtain-raiser will be against Sri Lanka on September 30 in Bengaluru before they fly to Colombo for the vital fixture against Pakistan. On October 09, they will lock horns with South Africa in Vizag before taking on Australia at the same venue. Their last three encounters will be against England, New Zealand, and Bangladesh in Indore, Guwahati, and Bengaluru, respectively.

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India’s squad for Women’s ODI World Cup 2025

Harmanpreet Kaur (Capt), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Richa Ghosh (WK), Kranti Gaud, Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Sree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (WK) and Sneh Rana

Let’s take a look at 3 players who can be X factor for India in ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025

1. Smriti Mandhana

The left-handed opening batter, Smriti Mandhana, will be a crucial member of the side. Overall, she has smashed 4588 runs in 105 innings at an average of 46.34 and a strike rate of 87.82, with the help of 31 half-centuries and 11 centuries at the best score of 136 runs.

During the recent three-match ODI series in England, the southpaw clubbed 115 runs in three innings. In the last two fixtures at Lord’s and Chester-Le-Street, she got starts and pushed the score into the 40s, but couldn’t celebrate her fifty.

His opening partnership with Shafali Verma is the most important part for the national side to earn success in the format. Besides that, being a veteran, she will need to carry an extra responsibility in crunch situations.

2. Harmanpreet Kaur 

For any ICC event, the eyes always remain on the captain of a side. That’s the same with India’s Harmanpreet Kaur, as it could prove to be the last ODI World Cup for the 36-year-old. Overall, she has scored 4069 runs in 129 ODI innings at an average of 37.67 and a strike rate of 75.92 with the help of 19 fifties and seven centuries at the best score of unbeaten 171 runs.

She was going through a tough patch in the last few months, with questions being raised over her position. But she proved her skills again with a fine knock of 102 runs in 84 balls with the help of 14 boundaries at a strike rate of more than 120 during the third ODI against England in Durham.

Kaur will also face the normal challenge and pressure of a home World Cup, but moreover, her batting at number four will be the most crucial aspect in the middle order for the Blue Brigade. 

3. Deepti Sharma 

The 27-year-old spin all-rounder, Deepti Sharma, has kept the balance of the Indian side in the white-ball formats. In 93 ODI innings, she has smashed 2392 runs at an average of 36.80 and a strike rate of 68.10 with 14 fifties and one century at the best score of 188, while with the ball, she has picked up 136 wickets at an average of 28 and an economy rate of just over four.

Deepti has been a terrific performer for India in crises. She has the skill to bat in the lower order and crunch the big shots, besides bowling tight overs in the middle phase of the innings. If needed, she could also come and bat at the top order.

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.

See Also: PCB’s special award waits for Pakistan team if they win T20 World Cup 2024

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.