The buzz around women’s cricket is set to reach fever pitch as the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 draws closer. Scheduled to begin on September 30 in Bengaluru, the tournament will see India and Sri Lanka lock horns in the opening encounter. With the event being co-hosted by India, the home side is gearing up for a high-pressure campaign under the watchful eyes of their passionate fans.

Harmanpreet Kaur on India’s title hopes

Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur expressed both confidence and determination ahead of the mega event, emphasising the advantage of home support. She said that playing in front of a home crowd is always a special feeling, as the energy and support from the fans can be a huge motivation for the team. She expressed hope that this time the players will give their absolute best in every game and finally overcome the long-standing hurdle of winning the Women’s ODI World Cup — something that Indian fans have been eagerly waiting for.

“Playing in front of a home crowd is always special, and hopefully this time we’ll give our 100 per cent and finally break the barrier that all Indian fans have been waiting for,” said Harmanpreet as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Reflecting on her own career-defining moment – the stunning 171-run knock in the 2017 semifinal against Australia – Harmanpreet said that while the memory is dear to her, the heartbreak of losing the final still lingers. She added that the team is working hard to ensure they can deliver a performance worthy of the trophy.

“I still remember that knock – it was very special. A lot changed for me personally after that. At the time, I didn’t fully realise what had happened, but when we returned to India after losing the final, the number of people waiting and cheering for us was truly remarkable. That was something very special,” added Harman.

India’s World Cup journey so far

India’s history in the Women’s ODI World Cup has been filled with moments of brilliance and heartbreak. The team finished runners-up in 2005, secured third place in 2009, and had a disappointing seventh-place finish in 2013. The 2017 edition was their closest brush with glory, as they narrowly lost to England in the final at Lord’s. In the 2022 tournament, India ended in fifth place, missing out on the knockout stages. This year, the team will aim to turn past lessons into a championship-winning campaign.

This article was first published at WomenCricket.coma Tezzbuzz company.