Punjab Newsline,Sports :
World Cup triumph under Harmanpreet Kaur’s captaincy, Smriti Mandhana shines as India records a 65.22% ODI win rate
The year 2025 has been etched in golden letters in the history of Indian women’s cricket. It was a year marked by consistency, resilience, and historic success, as Team India clinched the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup for the first time, ending a decades-long wait. Under the inspirational leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian women’s team achieved a milestone that millions of fans had dreamed of for years.
In the World Cup final, India defeated South Africa by 52 runs to lift the prestigious trophy. This victory was particularly special as it helped India overcome the heartbreak of losses in the 2005 and 2017 World Cup finals. In a high-pressure match, the Indian players displayed remarkable composure and confidence, highlighting the team’s growing mental strength on the world stage.
India’s overall ODI performance in 2025 was equally impressive. The team played a total of 23 ODI matches during the year, registering 15 wins, 7 losses, and 1 no-result. This resulted in a win percentage of 65.22, reflecting India’s consistency and rising dominance in women’s international cricket.
The World Cup journey was not without challenges. Midway through the tournament, India went through a difficult phase after suffering three consecutive defeats against South Africa, Australia, and England. At that point, the team was almost written off. However, a crucial 53-run victory over New Zealand turned the tide and reignited India’s campaign, leading to a remarkable comeback.
One of the most iconic moments came in the semi-final against Australia, where India successfully chased a massive target of 339 runs. This became the highest successful run chase in a World Cup knockout match in the history of both men’s and women’s cricket, underlining India’s fearless approach.
The year 2025 also proved to be career-defining for Smriti Mandhana. She scored 1,362 runs in 23 ODI matches at an outstanding average of 61.90 and a strike rate of 109.92. Her run tally included five centuries and five half-centuries. Mandhana also created history by smashing a century off just 50 balls against Australia, the fastest ODI hundred by an Indian batter.
In the World Cup, Mandhana scored 434 runs in nine matches, finishing as the second-highest run-scorer of the tournament. Overall, 2025 will always be remembered as a landmark year that showcased the grit, talent, and historic rise of Indian women’s cricket.