The cricketing world stands poised as the 13th edition of the ICC Women`s Cricket World Cup prepares to ignite the pitches of India and Sri Lanka. Kicking off on September 30 in Guwahati, this tournament is more than just a battle for silverware; it`s a grand spectacle where personal legacies will be forged, long-standing records challenged, and the very fabric of women`s cricket redefined. It`s also a poignant moment, marking the farewell of the familiar eight-team format before a planned expansion, hinting at an even brighter, more inclusive future for the sport.
For the first time since 2016, the Indian subcontinent proudly hosts a senior ICC women`s event, promising conditions that traditionally favor aggressive batting and strategic bowling. With only England, Australia, and New Zealand having hoisted the coveted trophy in the tournament`s history, the stage is set for potential upsets and the emergence of new champions from the fifteen teams that have graced this global stage.
Batting Brilliance: Chasing Immortality
As players converge on the subcontinent, a palpable sense of anticipation surrounds the batting milestones waiting to be shattered. The legendary Debbie Hockley`s record of 1501 runs in World Cups, held since 2000, sits precariously. New Zealand`s dynamic opener, Suzie Bates, stands a mere 322 runs away, her eyes firmly fixed on that historic tally. With a rich vein of form and an array of matches ahead, Bates is undoubtedly a prime contender to etch her name at the very top of the run-scoring charts.
Yet, Bates isn`t alone in this pursuit of glory. India`s powerful Harmanpreet Kaur (876 runs) and England`s versatile Nat Sciver-Brunt (805 runs) are also seasoned campaigners, consistently delivering performances that place them among the elite. Sciver-Brunt, alongside Bates, already shares the record for most World Cup centuries, with four each – a testament to their enduring class. Harmanpreet, with three centuries, is also just a few maximums shy of eclipsing Deandra Dottin`s record for most sixes in ODI World Cups, adding another layer of excitement to her impending campaign.
The tournament also features players like South Africa`s Tazmin Brits, who, with three consecutive ODI centuries in her last three innings, stands on the cusp of equaling Amy Satterthwaite`s remarkable feat of four. The flat, true pitches of the subcontinent are notorious for favoring batters, raising the tantalizing prospect that records like Alyssa Healy`s 509 runs in a single World Cup (2022) or even the monumental individual scores of Belinda Clark`s 229* (1997) and Amelia Kerr`s 232* (2018) could face a serious challenge. Indeed, if recent trends in Women`s ODIs are any indication – with a surge in 300+ totals and individual centuries – prepare for a truly high-scoring affair.
The Smriti Mandhana Phenomenon: India`s Star on Home Soil
Perhaps no player carries the weight of expectation, or the potential for widespread record-breaking, quite like India`s own Smriti Mandhana. Crowned the ICC Women`s ODI Cricketer of the Year for 2024, Mandhana arrives on home soil in scintillating form. Her 13th ODI century recently placed her joint-second on the all-time list for most hundreds in Women`s ODIs, alongside Suzie Bates, with only Australia`s Meg Lanning (15) ahead. What`s more, four of those centuries have come this year alone, equalling the record for most ODI hundreds in a calendar year – a feat also shared by Tazmin Brits in 2025.
With a minimum of seven group games, Mandhana has a legitimate shot at surpassing Lanning`s ODI century record. Her current tally of 928 runs in ODIs this year places her within striking distance of Belinda Clark`s long-standing record of 970 runs in a single calendar year (1997). Given her exceptional home record, where she averages over 70 with six centuries since 2024, the prospect of Mandhana rewriting the history books for runs in a calendar year on home turf is not just a dream, but a very real possibility.
The synergy with opening partner Pratika Rawal has also been a highlight. They are the only pair to score over 1,000 partnership runs in a calendar year in Women`s ODIs, with three century stands in 2025. Their formidable understanding could well see them break further partnership records, adding another layer of intrigue to India`s campaign.
Wickets and Wonders: The Bowling Gladiators
While batters aim for the fences, the bowlers will be tirelessly plotting their downfall. The formidable record of Jhulan Goswami, with 43 wickets in Women`s World Cups, has long stood as a benchmark. However, a trio of active pacers is breathing down her neck: Australia`s Megan Schutt (34 wickets), South Africa`s Marizanne Kapp (32 wickets), and Australia`s ever-present Ellyse Perry (31 wickets) are all within striking distance. With several veterans potentially featuring in their final World Cup, the battle for this coveted record promises to be fiercely contested and emotionally charged.
Beyond the top three, England`s young sensation Sophie Ecclestone, already holding the third-best bowling figures in World Cup history, needs just 12 more wickets to become England`s second-highest ODI wicket-taker. India`s Deepti Sharma, with 140 ODI wickets, stands on the brink of surpassing Neetu David to become India`s second-highest and leading spinner in ODI history – a fitting achievement for a player who has consistently delivered for her nation.
The all-round prowess of Kapp and Perry extends to their career ODI wickets, both nearing the coveted 200-mark. Their collective pursuit of these milestones underscores the incredible depth of talent in women`s cricket today, setting the stage for a bowling masterclass on Indian and Sri Lankan wickets.
A Tournament of Firsts and Fierce Contention
This 2025 World Cup is a unique juncture. It bids farewell to the eight-team format, paving the way for a more expansive future. The defending champions, Australia, enter as the most successful team with seven titles, followed by England (four) and New Zealand (one). The narrative of India and the West Indies, who have reached finals but never claimed the ultimate prize, adds a compelling layer of ambition to the tournament.
Notably, no team has managed to win back-to-back titles since Australia`s dominant three-peat from 1978 to 1988, highlighting the competitive nature and ever-evolving landscape of women`s cricket. With overseas players now well-acquainted with Indian conditions, and recent series indicating a penchant for high scores, expect boundary ropes to be tested and historical team totals, such as Australia`s 412 for 3 (1997), to be re-evaluated. The largest successful chase of 278 (against India in 2022) also appears vulnerable.
The year 2025 has already witnessed a proliferation of 300+ totals and a record 30 individual centuries in Women`s ODIs, alongside an unprecedented number of sixes. With robust batting lineups across all eight participating teams, the stage is perfectly set for a festival of cricket – a compelling blend of career-defining moments, audacious team performances, and standout individual brilliance. Co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, this tournament promises to be a memorable celebration of the sport, a fitting crescendo for the current format, and an exhilarating preview of the expanded horizons to come.
Nathan Blackwood 
Marcus Bellamy