The team sheets are in. As the ten nations finalise their 15-player squads for the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, the narrative extends far beyond the usual suspects of Australia, England, and India. While the defending champion Aussies, led by the peerless Alyssa Healy, remain the formidable benchmark, the most compelling stories are brewing elsewhere. This tournament, set against the vibrant backdrop of Indian stadiums, promises a tectonic shift in the women’s game, driven by shrewd selections and the rise of powerhouses from the subcontinent.
The Australian squad is a testament to ruthless efficiency and depth. The return of a fit-again Meg Lanning adds a layer of intimidating experience to a batting order that already boasts Beth Mooney and Ellyse Perry. Their pace attack, spearheaded by Darcie Brown and Megan Schutt, is the envy of the world. However, the question isn’t about Australia’s strength; it’s about who has built a squad capable of matching it.
India, the host nation, appears to have learned from past campaigns. The selection committee, led by former stalwart Jhulan Goswami, has made bold, forward-thinking choices. The inclusion of young leg-spinner Parshavi Chopra, following a stellar domestic season and a breakthrough WPL, is a masterstroke. She complements the experience of Deepti Sharma and could be the X-factor on turning tracks. The batting hinges on the sublime form of Smriti Mandhana and the ever-reliable Harmanpreet Kaur, but the middle-order conundrum persists. Can Richa Ghosh provide the consistent firepower finisher role?
Yet, the most intriguing squad announcements came from Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Pakistan has moved on from mere participation to building a genuinely competitive unit. The emergence of 19-year-old pace sensation Aroob Shah, who can consistently clock 120+ km/h, adds a new dimension to their attack alongside Diana Baig. With Nida Dar’s all-round brilliance and the elegant batting of Sidra Ameen, this is arguably the most balanced Pakistani side to enter a World Cup. They are no longer dark horses; they are genuine contenders for the semi-finals.
Sri Lanka’s selection is a story of redemption and raw talent. The recall of former captain Chamari Athapaththu, after a public fallout with the board, is the headline. Her destructive batting at the top is their primary weapon. But the real story is the investment in youth. Vishmi Gunaratne, just 18, has been handed a central role following her composed performances in bilateral series. This blend of explosive experience and fearless youth makes Sri Lanka dangerously unpredictable.
What about the other challengers? New Zealand will rely heavily on Amelia Kerr’s all-round genius and the leadership of Sophie Devine on home soil. South Africa, sans the retired Lizelle Lee, will look to Laura Wolvaardt to anchor their innings. But the squads from the Asian bloc have made the most interesting and aggressive picks, signalling a strategic shift towards winning key moments, not just competing in them.
The pitches in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru will play a crucial role. Will they be batting paradises or offer assistance to the spinners? The Indian, Pakistani, and Sri Lankan selectors have clearly bet on the latter, loading their squads with multi-dimensional spin options. This World Cup won’t just be won by power-hitting; it will be won by tactical nuance, and the team sheets suggest the Asian teams are prepared for that battle. The established order has been put on notice.
