The 2025 Women’s World Cup (limited overs) has begun, with the tournament already witnessing some exciting contests. The tournament began on the 30th of September, while the final will be played on the 2nd of November. Women’s World Cup events have attracted a lot of limelight over the past few editions. Previously, the women’s events weren’t as popular as the men’s. The tournament is attracting more crowds at the stadium, and the viewership as well as the TRP ratings are at an all-time high, thanks to the live coverage of matches on Cable TV networks, Dish TV networks, as well as OTT platforms. The 13th edition is co-hosted by India & Sri Lanka. A total of 10 teams were seen in action during the qualifying round, out of which two teams were eliminated. Ultimately, eight teams qualified for the grand event, which is being played across five cities (four Indian cities and one Sri Lankan city). The games are being played at the Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati (Assam), Holkar Stadium, Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium (Vishakhapatnam), Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra), R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (Sri Lanka). Ever since the tournament was introduced in 1973, the popularity of the Women’s World Cup has grown impressively, and it’s clearly visible in modern-day cricket. The first Women’s Limited Overs World Cup was hosted by England, and every event has witnessed some entertaining contests. Although women’s cricket wasn’t considered as exciting as the men’s event, it has become bigger and better after every edition, as far as its popularity is concerned. The standard of women’s cricket has definitely improved, and it has been reflected in the recent World Cup events over the last few editions.
Which teams qualified for the event?
India, Australia, Sri Lanka, South Africa, England, New Zealand, Bangladesh, and Pakistan are the eight teams competing for this prized trophy. Australia is the defending champion after winning the trophy in 2022, and this time too, the team is looking good to go all the way. Australia has won the tournament (limited-overs edition) 7 times, England 4 times, while New Zealand has won the trophy once. The tournament is a 31-match affair, and every match will be expected to be a close one. Unfortunately, the West Indies couldn’t qualify as Bangladesh enjoyed the upper hand with a net run rate of 0.013.
Format of the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup
Every team will play each other once, as there aren’t any groups. There is a single points table and every team’s standings will be decided on the basis of the maximum number of points a particular team gets, depending on the number of matches won by that team.
A total of four teams will qualify for the semi-finals. The team with the highest points will face the fourth-placed team, while the second-placed team will be up against the third-placed team. Winning teams of the semi-finals will face each other in the final.
Points System of the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup
The winning team gets 2 points for winning a match. If the match gets abandoned due to rain, then both teams will share 1 point each. The losing team will get 0 points. If the match is cancelled due to unavoidable circumstances, then both teams will be offered 1 point each.
Rules of the 2025 ICC women’s world cup
The 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup will be played under the rules and regulations set by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).
- If the match ends in a tie, then the outcome of that particular match will be decided through a super over.
- If two teams finish on the same number of points after seven matches during the league phase, then the team that has a better net run rate will be placed above the other team.
| Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Tie | No Result | Points | Net Run Rate |
| Australia Women | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | +1.960 |
| England Women | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | +1.757 |
| India Women | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | +0.953 |
| South Africa Women | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -0.888 |
| New Zealand Women | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -0.245 |
| Bangladesh Women | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -0.357 |
| Sri Lanka Women | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1.255 |
| Pakistan Women | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1.887 |
Team-wise summary
- Australia- Seven-time champions are looking favourites as Alyssa Healy’s team is looking in prime form in all departments. The team has played 3 matches in the tournament so far, winning 2 and losing 1, resulting in no result. Australia is in second position with 5 points. All-rounder Annabel Sutherland has looked impressive with her medium pace, while the Australian batters have looked to build partnerships in the middle overs. Ashleigh Gardner’s 115 against New Zealand helped the team to register an impressive win in their first match.
- England Women- England are at the top with 6 points after beating Sri Lanka by 89 runs. Natalie Sciver Brunt’s team is the favourite to lift the trophy. Linsey Smith has bowled well in the middle overs, while Natalie Sciver Brunt has looked penetrative with the ball, and her 117 against Sri Lanka helped the team gain a vital win.
- India Women- Women in Blue are on 4 points after beating Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Harmanpreet Kaur & co are favourites as the team has got width in all departments. The batters as well as the bowlers have done a decent job, backed by some outstanding fielding. Harleen Deol has impressed with the bat. All-rounder Deepti Sharma has again contributed with her clever off-spin.
- South Africa Women- After beating India at Vishakhapatnam, Laura Wolvaardt and her team would be high on confidence. Nadine De Klerk’s innings helped the team register a morale-boosting win. Another win from here on can make them firm favourites for the semi-finals.
- New Zealand Women-The Kiwis registered their first win of the tournament against Bangladesh by 100 runs on the 10th of October. New Zealand is in the 5th position with 2 points, and Sophie Devine would be hoping her batters put up a collective effort, as so far in the tournament, their batters haven’t performed as per expectations. Their losses against South Africa and Australia highlighted the fault lines in their batting lineup.
- Bangladesh Women-Bangladesh are at the 6th position with 2 points and a net run rate of -0.357. The batters haven’t impressed, while the bowlers have looked below par, except Marufa Akter.
- Sri Lanka Women- Sri Lanka is in 7th position and hasn’t won any matches so far. Chamari Athapaththu’s side needs to pull up their socks. Sri Lankan batters haven’t looked consistent, while their bowlers, except Inoka Ranaweera, have struggled.
- Pakistan is struggling to stay alive in the tournament as the team isn’t looking in good shape. The team management needs to find a solution to get the combination right.