The 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup starts on September 30, and five cities in Sri Lanka and India will be hosting. The upcoming edition will be the 13th since the tournament first started in 1973. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed the schedule, and eight of the best women’s teams in the world will contend for the trophy. The opening match will take place in Bengaluru on September 30 when India plays against Sri Lanka. Tickets are already selling out fast.
The format
Teams will contest in two warm-up matches each from September 25 to 27. All the teams will play seven matches in the group stage, and the four sides in top place will progress to the semi-finals. The highest-ranking team during the group stage will play the fourth-ranking team. The second-ranking and third-ranking teams will play each other. One semi-final will be held in Bengaluru, and the other in either Colombo or Guwahati. Navi Mumbai or Colombo will then host the final of the event on November 2.
The Women’s Cricket World Cup will be broadcast live around the world through various rights holders. Americans are likely to be tuning in and betting online now that it is legal in many states.
The Australian Team
Australia is the top dog in this competition, having won the trophy seven times. The team will play against New Zealand in Indore on October 1. The squad includes Alyssa Healy, a power hitter, and all-rounders such as Ellyse Perry. Of the 15-member squad, 10 of the players played in the title win against New Zealand in 2022.
Australian viewers can watch live on Prime Video in Australia. Those watching in public venues on their mobile devices should use a VPN to protect their IP addresses and make sure they’re safe.
The English Team
The English team isn’t that far behind with four wins. The current team shows aggression and tactical depth in thinking. Nat Sciver-Brunt is the captain of a talented squad. Former skipper Heather Knight returns after a tendon injury, and Sarah Glenn and Danni Wyatt-Hodge are also in the squad after missing the series in India earlier in the summer.
The Indian Team
The Indian women’s team is likely to be an emotional favorite. It includes some older, experienced players and youthful talents. In previous editions, it has had some narrow misses and will want to become more than just a runner-up this time.
Underdogs
The New Zealand team has won the trophy once, in 2020. The team can beat the best teams when they are playing well, but they tend to be inconsistent. Pakistan and Sri Lanka have not won the trophy yet. Bangladesh only made its debut in the tournament in 2022, and the side has kept improving since then.
The U.S. Women’s Cricket team is still on the upward road when it comes to international cricket, as cricket hasn’t been a popular sport in the U.S. This is beginning to change. The growing popularity of cricket in the US means that many people are likely to watch the competition, even though the US team isn’t competing.
A dark horse
South Africa could be a dark horse, although it hasn’t won a trophy yet. The team led by Laura Wolfaardt is full of energy and athleticism. The opening pair of Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits has been the most successful in Women’s ODIs since the 2022 Cricket World Cup. Few teams can boast such an array of all-rounders with some youthful talent that adds exuberance to the team. South Africa will take on England in its first match of the competition on October 3 in Guwahati.
Prize pool
The total prize pool amounts to $13.88 million, which is a huge increase. The winning team will receive $4.48 million, and the runner-up will receive $2.24 million. All the teams receive a guaranteed amount of $250,000.
