Fresh off an ODI Tri-Nation series triumph in Sri Lanka, the focus for India now moves onto the build-up to the larger picture, eyeing the ultimate prize at the pinnacle of ODI cricket, the much-anticipated ICC event of the year, the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, which will be hosted by India in September–October, later this year.
The Indian women’s cricket team stands at a defining crossroads. The heartbreak of previous campaigns has only sharpened their resolve, and with a blend of seasoned campaigners and emerging stars, India’s preparations for the global stage are under intense scrutiny. The upcoming white-ball tour to England, featuring five T20Is and three ODIs, is not just another bilateral series; it’s a crucial litmus test for India’s readiness, resilience, and resourcefulness.
Squad Overview: The Absence of Shafali Verma from the ODIs
At the heart of India’s campaign are captain Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana. Their partnership, one of fire and ice, anchors the team both on and off the field. Harmanpreet’s tactical acumen and Mandhana’s calm assurance provide stability, while the likes of Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, and Yastika Bhatia offer a blend of youthful exuberance and proven match-winning ability.
The squads for the England tour signal a willingness to invest in fresh talent. Sree Charani, Shuchi Upadhyay, Kranti Gaud, and Sayali Satghare are among the new faces who have impressed on the domestic circuit. Their inclusion reflects a broader strategy: build bench strength and create a pool of players ready to step up on the world stage.
However, the absence of key players cannot be ignored. Pooja Vastrakar and Renuka Singh, stalwarts with proven international pedigree, are conspicuously missing from both squads. The young pace-bowling sensation Kashvee Gautam misses out on a spot courtesy of a potential injury. However, Shafali Verma’s omission from the ODI squad also raises eyebrows, given her explosive potential at the top of the order.
Injuries, workload management, or form could explain these omissions, but the lack of official clarity leaves room for speculation. The young 21-year-old destructive batter Shafali Verma, known for her fearless intent and aggressive approach, has had slim returns in the ODI format, of late. She has returned with 108 runs at an uncharacteristic strike rate of 82.44 and an average of 18 in six innings in the last year in the ODI format with the bat for India.
Meanwhile, the 24-year-old youngster from Delhi, Pratika Rawal, has grabbed her opportunity at the top of the order with both hands. She became the fastest to surpass the 500-run mark in the ODI format, in just 8 innings, surpassing the former England skipper Charlotte Edwards to achieve the landmark. She did it in the recently concluded ODI Tri-Nation series in Sri Lanka. She currently has 638 runs at a strike rate of 89.85 and an outstanding average of 63.80 in 11 innings, including five half-centuries and a century to her name in the format.
The absence of Pooja and Renuka, both pivotal to India’s pace attack and lower-order batting, could expose vulnerabilities, especially in death bowling and all-rounder depth.
Key Areas in Focus
The batting approach will be backed by the mantra of building partnerships and rotating strike, especially in the middle overs. The bowling unit will revolve around sharpening death bowling skills and developing spin variations to counter the conditions that will be on offer during the ODI World Cup later this year. As far as the fielding department is concerned, improving agility and direct-hit accuracy, areas that have cost India dearly in close contests.
Current Focus: The England tour as a Crucible
The upcoming tour to England (June 28 onwards) is more than a preparatory exercise, it’s a strategic battlefield. England’s conditions, with their swing-friendly pitches and vocal crowds, will test India’s adaptability and composure. The five-match series offer a platform to experiment with line-ups, test bench strength, and fine-tune powerplay strategies. The three-match series is a direct rehearsal for World Cup scenarios. How India handles pressure, adapts to conditions, and executes plans will be closely watched by fans and selectors alike.
Emerging Talents: New Players to Watch
The inclusion of Sree Charani, Shuchi Upadhyay, Kranti Gaud, and Sayali Satghare signals a new era. These players have excelled in domestic cricket, showing temperament and skill under pressure. Their performances in England could determine not just their World Cup prospects, but also India’s bench strength, a crucial factor in long tournaments. Fresh energy, fearless cricket, and competition for places can elevate overall team standards. Blooding youngsters now ensures a smoother transition and reduces over-reliance on a core group.
Challenges and Road Ahead
India’s recent performances in the ICC events in the ODI and the T20I format have been a mixed bag, flashes of brilliance often offset by lapses in consistency. The team has shown the ability to dominate but closing out tight games and handling crunch moments remain areas for improvement.
Key Areas to Address:
Death Bowling:
In the absence of Renuka and Pooja, India must identify and groom reliable finishers with the ball.
Middle-order Stability:
The onus is on Jemimah, Richa, and Yastika to anchor and accelerate as needed. Emergence of the likes of Amanjot Kaur could be one of the biggest positives for the Women in Blue.
Spin-attack and lower-order batting:
Sneh Rana and Deepti Sharma must shoulder greater responsibility, especially on slow surfaces. Backing the likes of Sayali Satghare, Kashvee Gautam, and Arundhati Reddy could be a vital factor, especially with their capability to chip in with impactful cameos lower down the order with the bat, which could prove to be decisive in high-pressure games.
Fan Perspectives: Hope, Expectations, and a Sense of Destiny
Indian fans, ever passionate and vocal, sense that this could be a watershed year. Social media buzzes with anticipation, debates over squad selections, and optimism about the new faces. There’s a collective yearning-not just for wins, but for a brand of cricket that inspires and unites.
Can India Script History in 2025?
As the countdown to the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 gathers pace, India’s journey is marked by promise and questions in equal measure. The England tour will be a pivotal chapter-testing combinations, building confidence, and revealing whether this team can transcend past heartbreaks. If the emerging talents rise to the occasion and the experienced core delivers under pressure, India could well script a new chapter in women’s cricketing history. For now, the road ahead is challenging, but the destination is one every Indian fan dream of: lifting the ODI World Cup at home, probably a fulfilling and heart-warming moment for all the Indian fans, especially after their men’s counterpart suffered a heart-wrenching loss in the ODI World Cup final against Australia, in 2023.
