The Rise of Women’s Cricket in India: From Empty Stands to World Champions
On November 2, 2025, India won the Women’s ODI World Cup for the first time. A look at the long journey, the heroes of the title run, and why this win matters for every Indian girl.
When I was in college, most people around me could not name more than one or two players from the Indian women’s cricket team. Matches were rarely on TV, stands were mostly empty, and many girls who loved cricket were told to “play something suitable”.
On the night of November 2, 2025, at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, that old picture changed forever. India’s women became ODI world champions for the first time. I watched with my family, and I have rarely seen the house so loud.
🏏 The Pioneers Who Kept the Flame Alive
This win stands on the shoulders of many players who played for love, not money or fame. Legends like Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami carried the team for years, scoring runs and taking wickets while very few people were watching.
India reached the World Cup final in 2005 and again in 2017, losing both. The 2017 final at Lord’s, lost narrowly to England, was heartbreaking — but it was also the moment the country started paying attention. Harmanpreet Kaur’s unbeaten 171 against Australia in that semi-final is still talked about.
📈 The Changes Behind the Scenes
- Equal match fees: in 2022, the BCCI announced that centrally contracted women players would receive the same match fees as men for international matches.
- Women’s Premier League: the WPL started in 2023, giving players big crowds, professional exposure and the chance to play alongside the world’s best.
- Young talent pipeline: India won the first two editions of the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, in 2023 and 2025.
- Visibility: more matches on TV and streaming made these players household names.
🔥 The 2025 Title Run
The tournament was not smooth. India lost some close league games and had to fight to reach the knockouts. Then came the semi-final against Australia, the defending champions.
Chasing 339, Jemimah Rodrigues played the innings of her life, an unbeaten 127, and India completed a record-breaking run chase. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur supported her with a fighting knock.
In the final against South Africa, Shafali Verma — who came into the squad late as a replacement — scored 87 and also took two wickets to win Player of the Match. Deepti Sharma made a half-century and took five wickets in the final, and was named Player of the Tournament. India won by 52 runs.
Opener Smriti Mandhana, one of the most consistent batters in the world, was again a key part of the batting all tournament.
“Talent was always there. What changed was that the country finally decided to watch.”
💡 Why This Win Matters Beyond Cricket
- Role models: a young girl in a small town can now see someone like her lifting a World Cup.
- Parents’ mindset: many families who hesitated to let daughters play sport will now think again.
- Resilience: this team lost finals and faced years of being ignored, yet kept improving.
- Opportunity creates excellence: when investment, fair pay and exposure came, results followed.
🏡 What We Can Do at Home
Take your daughter to the ground. Buy her a bat as easily as you would buy her brother one. Let girls join the gully cricket games on your street. Watch women’s matches together as a family. Small encouragement at home is how future champions begin — a feeling close to my heart, as I shared in A Struggling Dad, A Star Daughter.
✨ Takeaway
From empty stands to a packed stadium in Navi Mumbai, Indian women’s cricket has travelled a long road. The 2025 World Cup is not the end of the story — it is the beginning of a new generation. Let us make sure every girl who dreams of cricket gets the chance to play.
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