India Women’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur is confident about ending the team’s long wait for an ICC trophy at the upcoming Women’s ODI World Cup, which will be held at home next month. She stated that playing in front of the home crowd is a motivation to break India’s barrier at the Women’s World Cup.

The India women’s cricket team has improved in recent years. However, they have yet to secure an ICC world title despite reaching the finals twice (in 2005 and 2017). The ICC trophy continues to be a goal in the marquee tournament, which will take place from September 30 to November 2 in India and Sri Lanka.

Try to Break That Final Barrier – Harmanpreet Kaur on World Cup 2025

Speaking at the 50-day countdown event in Mumbai, Harmanpreet Kaur said that they want to enjoy the tournament on home soil. Kaur hoped the team will deliver their best effort to finally break the ICC trophy drought.

“(The plan is the) same as my first ODI World Cup. I want to go there and enjoy my cricket, but playing in front of the home crowd is always special,” Harmanpreet Kaur said at the ‘50 Days To Go’ event in Mumbai.

“This time, I hope we will give our 100 per cent and try to break that final barrier that we have all been waiting for,” she added.

India finished as runners-up in 2005 and 2017. They also secured third place in 2009, seventh in 2013, and fifth in 2022. The upcoming 13th edition of the tournament will follow a round-robin format, with the top four teams advancing to the semifinals.

I Still Remember That Knock, It Was Very Special – Harmanpreet Kaur

Harmanpreet Kaur recalled her unbeaten 171-run innings against Australia in the 2017 World Cup semifinal. She described it as very special for her career and women’s cricket in India. Kaur stated that she received overwhelming support when the team returned home.

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

A Defining Moment for the Women’s Game – Jay Shah

The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 event was inaugurated by ICC Chairman Jay Shah and stars Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues alongside ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta.

Shah stated that the World Cup will play a key role in elevating the sport and expressed the ICC’s commitment to embracing new ideas to maintain the growth of women’s cricket.

“The return of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 to India comes at a defining moment for the women’s game, setting the stage for a truly world-class tournament that will further elevate the sport’s global stature.”

“At the ICC, we remain open to new ideas and are constantly exploring ways to sustain the upward momentum of women’s cricket. Conversations like today’s panel discussion are invaluable in shaping our collective vision and driving progress,” Shah said.

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