The 13th edition of the Women’s Cricket World Cup is happening from Sept 30 to Nov 2 across India and Sri Lanka, featuring the world’s top female cricketers. Follow the latest live scores, squad announcements, match highlights, and key moments throughout the tournament.
Tournament Overview: Dates, Venues, and Format
The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 features eight top teams in a 28-match round-robin format, with semifinals on Oct 29–30 and the final on Nov 2. This last 8-team edition boasts a record $13.88 million prize pool, including $4.48 million for the winner, surpassing the men’s 2023 prize. Follow Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 live updates, schedules, squads, and highlights to stay updated on all the action.
Co-hosted by India (fourth time) and Sri Lanka (debut), matches unfold at five iconic venues:
- ACA Stadium, Guwahati (India opener)
- Holkar Stadium, Indore
- M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru (semifinal potential)
- ACA-VDCA Stadium, Visakhapatnam
- R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (backup for Pakistan clashes)
Warm-up games wrapped on September 28, setting the stage for today’s blockbuster start. For full fixtures, check the official ICC schedule.
Opening Day Thrills: India vs Sri Lanka Live Updates
The tournament exploded into action on September 30 at Guwahati’s ACA Stadium, where hosts India faced co-hosts Sri Lanka under floodlights. Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu won the toss and bowled first, but India fought back fiercely.
Key highlights so far:
- Early Setback: Smriti Mandhana fell cheaply in the powerplay, testing India’s top order.
- Late Fireworks: Amanjot Kaur and Deepti Sharma unleashed a blistering partnership, propelling India to 269/8 in 50 overs. Pratika Rawal smashed the first six of the tournament, igniting the crowd.
- Current Score: At stumps (or mid-innings), Sri Lanka chased aggressively, but India’s total sets a daunting target.
This opener, preceded by a star-studded ceremony featuring Bollywood’s Shreya Ghoshal performing the anthem “Bring it Home,” drew massive crowds and global streams. Tune into live coverage on ICC platforms for ball-by-ball updates—India’s home advantage could spark a dream run.
Qualified Teams and Star-Studded Squads
Eight nations qualified: five via the ICC Women’s Championship (Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka), hosts India, and qualifiers Pakistan and Bangladesh. Squads were locked in by mid-September, blending veterans and rising stars.
- India (Captain: Harmanpreet Kaur): Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma—poised for redemption after 2022 semis heartbreak.
- Australia (Defending Champs, Captain: Alyssa Healy): Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney—seven-time winners eyeing history.
- England (Captain: Heather Knight): Nat Sciver-Brunt leads the four-time champs.
- New Zealand (Captain: Sophie Devine): Passion-fueled side chasing a fairytale.
- South Africa (Captain: Laura Wolvaardt): Tazmin Brits anchors the batting.
- Sri Lanka (Captain: Chamari Athapaththu): Co-hosts ready to upset.
- Pakistan (Captain: Fatima Sana): Sidra Amin’s form could stun rivals.
- Bangladesh (Captain: Nigar Sultana): Sharmin Akhter’s consistency key for underdogs.
Full squads and player stats available on ESPNcricinfo.
Must-Watch Matches: India vs Pakistan and Beyond
Cricket’s fiercest rivalry lights up on October 5 in Colombo: India vs Pakistan—India unbeaten against Pak since 2005. Venue shifts to neutral ground if needed, adding tension. Other highlights:
- Australia vs England (October 12, Visakhapatnam): Defending champs vs runners-up.
- India vs Australia (October 16, Delhi): Clash of titans.
- Semis: October 29 (Guwahati/Colombo) and 30 (Bengaluru/Navi Mumbai).
- Final: November 2 (Bengaluru/Colombo).
The round-robin runs until October 26, with New Zealand vs England as a day game on the 26th. For Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 live streaming, catch it on Hotstar, Star Sports, or ICC.tv globally.
Batters to Watch: Power Hitters Set to Dominate
With boundaries flying, eight batters are tipped to shine in the Women’s Cricket World Cup:
- Smriti Mandhana (India): No.1 ODI batter, 800+ runs in 2025 at 60+ average.
- Beth Mooney (Australia): 233 runs vs India this year; innings-builder extraordinaire.
- Sidra Amin (Pakistan): Back-to-back tons vs South Africa; calm under pressure.
- Sharmin Akhter (Bangladesh): Consistent anchor with 94* in qualifiers.
These stars could shatter records—don’t miss their fireworks!
Why the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Matters
This edition isn’t just about runs and wickets; it’s a milestone for equality. The prize surge and global broadcast underscore women’s cricket’s rise. As India and Sri Lanka showcase Asia’s passion, expect sold-out stadiums and viral moments. Follow for Women’s Cricket World Cup highlights, points tables, and player interviews.
What are your predictions—who lifts the trophy? Share in the comments! For more ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 news, subscribe below.