Batswomen return: As ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 draws near, captains exude confidence

Bengaluru/Colombo: The stage is set, the excitement is building, and the leaders of world cricket’s finest women’s teams are brimming with confidence as the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 draws near.

With just four days to go, all eight captains came together in a unique Captains’ Day event held simultaneously in Bengaluru and Colombo, sharing their vision, determination, and anticipation for the 13th edition of the tournament.

Australia’s Alyssa Healy, England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt, New Zealand’s Sophie Devine, and India’s Harmanpreet Kaur addressed fans and media in Bengaluru, while Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu, South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt, Pakistan’s Fatima Sana, and Bangladesh’s Nigar Sultana engaged with audiences in Colombo.

The split-city format offered a rare yet symbolic show of unity, showcasing the global nature and growing stature of women’s cricket.

In heartfelt panel discussions and press conferences, captains reflected not only on their teams’ preparations but also on the rapid rise of women’s cricket worldwide.

India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur emphasized the emotion of playing a World Cup on home soil thus: “Representing your country is always a special moment, but leading in a World Cup at home is something else. Every team has an equal chance, which shows how far women’s cricket has come. Packed stadiums are now a reality, and we’re excited to give our best with the support of fans behind us.”

Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu echoed the home advantage sentiment, urging her team to “enjoy the moment and play freely,” while Pakistan’s Fatima Sana noted the familiarity of Colombo conditions as a key edge for her side.

Defending champions Australia, led by Alyssa Healy, are bracing for the toughest challenge yet:

She said: “Defending a title is never easy. To lift that trophy, you need to beat every side, and this feels like the most competitive World Cup ever.”

England skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt underlined the “different energy” that Indian crowds bring, while Sophie Devine of New Zealand called for women’s cricket to grow into a “truly global game” with equal opportunities across boards.

For Bangladesh’s Nigar Sultana, the tournament represents a chance to inspire at home. She said: “We now know how to win matches at this level. The responsibility is to give back to our supporters who are embracing women’s cricket more than ever.”

South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt kept her focus grounded, saying, “Every team here is strong. We’ll take it one game at a time.”

The 2025 edition begins with a blockbuster clash between India and Sri Lanka in Guwahati on September 30. Defending champions Australia face New Zealand in Indore the next day. Matches will also be hosted in Visakhapatnam, Navi Mumbai, and Colombo, with a round-robin format ensuring that every game counts.

As the countdown begins, one thing is certain: the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 promises not just high-quality cricket, but a celebration of how far the women’s game has come — and where it is heading.