‘Hopefully we will do that…’: Captain Harmanpreet Kaur on Women’s ODI World Cup

Indian veteran Harmanpreet Kaur is banking on the team’s recent form, collective confidence and new preparation methods to break every barrier and win India’s first Women’s World Cup as the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 is just around the corner.

The performance of the Indian women’s cricket team has improved in recent years. However, despite reaching the final twice (in 2005 and 2017), they are yet to win an ICC world title. Winning the ICC trophy in the prestigious tournament scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka from September 30 to November 2 still remains a goal.

We will give our 100 percent: Harmanpreet

“Playing in front of home crowd is always special and hopefully this time we will give our 100 percent and try to break the barrier that all Indian fans and we have been waiting for,” Harmanpreet said at an ICC event in Mumbai, according to ESPN Cricinfo.

India finished runners-up in 2005 and 2017. They also finished third in 2009, seventh in 2013 and fifth in 2022. The upcoming 13th edition of the tournament will be played in a round-robin format, with the top four teams progressing to the semi-finals.

Harman recalls her 171-run innings against Australia

“I still remember that innings – it was very special. A lot changed for me personally after that. At that time I didn’t fully realise what had happened, but when we returned to India after losing the final, the number of people waiting for us and cheering us on was really remarkable. That moment was very special,” the Indian captain recalled.

Ahead of the World Cup, India will face another crucial challenge, a three-match ODI series at home against defending champions and world number one Australia, which will end just ten days before the tournament begins. The Indian captain believes what could be a better way to prepare for an important World Cup than playing on home turf, which includes a series against one of the top teams in the world.