From Australia’s dominance to India’s promise, Devine’s last dance to England’s hopes, ET Sport looks at every team chasing World Cup glory.
INDIA
India enter the World Cup with their most steady squad to date. The team’s strength comes from a stable top-order, led by the consistent batting of Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur. Their bowling unit also has extensive experience playing together, which provides a significant advantage. Despite these strengths, there are still some concerns, particularly with fielding and the fitness of Amanjot Kaur as she returns from injury. However, the return of Renuka Singh Thakur is a major boost to the bowling attack. Many believe this could be India’s best opportunity yet to win their first-ever World Cup title.
SQUAD: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Uma Chetry, Renuka Singh Thakur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud
AUSTRALIA
Having lost only four out of 31 ODIs since winning a seventh title four years ago, Australia enter the 2025 World Cup as overwhelming favourites. The team has undergone a leadership change, with legendary captain Meg Lanning retiring, but the new skipper Alyssa Healy still has a squad brimming with so much talent that they operate with near robot-like efficiency. To get a sense of their strength, consider this: they boast of four allrounders who all can bat in the top five, while all six of their specialist bowlers merit a place in the playing XI. Going into the World Cup, Australia face only two minor concerns: first, who to leave in the dug out; and second, managing the workload of key players returning from injury, namely Healy and Sophie Molineux.
SQUAD: Alyssa Healy (c), Darcie Brown, Ash Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham
BANGLADESH
Playing in just their second 50-over World Cup, Bangladesh couldn’t have been more underprepared. They haven’t played an international game in five months. Their preparations were limited to training camps and practice matches against U15 boys, where they performed badly. And, they will be without their leading wickettaker, off-spinner Jannatul Ferdus. Despite these challenges, they narrowly qualified, ahead of West Indies, and would hope to record their second victory in the World Cup matches.
SQUAD: Nigar Sultana Joty (c), Rubya Haider Jhelik, Nahida Akter, Fargana Hoque, Sharmin Akter Supta, Sobhana Mostary, Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Fariha Islam Trisna, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Nishita Akter Nishi, Sumaiya Akter
ENGLAND
The poor T20 World Cup and Ashes campaigns in 2024 forced England to change their leadership. They brought in Charlotte Edwards as coach and appointed Nat Sciver-Brunt as captain. The 50-over World Cup comes as the first major test for England under the new regime that took over in April this year. The squad, however, largely remains unchanged, with eight players from the 2022 runners-up side still in place. Early days under the new regime have brought mixed results — a clean sweep of both white-ball series with West Indies but losing both T20 and ODIs series to India. Edwards has set the bar at reaching the final.
SQUAD: Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Linsey Smith, Danni Wyatt-Hodge
SOUTH AFRICA
Their men’s team finally ended a long title drought by lifting the World Test Championship earlier this year. Will that success ease the pressure on the women’s team or raise expectations even higher? This tournament marks the first major assignment for new coach Mandla Mashimbyi. The squad revolves around a core of experienced players led by captain Laura Wolvaardt, with its strength lying in powerful all-rounders such as Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus, and Nadine de Klerk. One key concern remains the absence of a strike pacer of Shabnim Ismail’s calibre
SQUAD: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Ayabonga Khaka, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp, Tazmin Brits, Sinalo Jafta, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Annerie Dercksen, Anneke Bosch, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase
NEW ZEALAND
Led by retiring captain Sophie Devine, New Zealand is chasing a World Cup double after winning the T20 title last year. The squad is a mix of experienced players like Suzie Bates, Lea Tahuhu, and Amelia Kerr alongside several newcomers. With no ODIs in six months and only one series win since 2024, their preparation has not been ideal. However, training camps and stints in England’s domestic leagues have provided some crucial game time. Despite their inconsistent form, other teams will not underestimate them; they turned around a 10-match losing streak to win the T20 World Cup last year.
SQUAD: Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Melie Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Georgia Plimmer, Lea Tahuhu
PAKISTAN
Pakistan won just one match at the 2022 World Cup. In the 2013 and 2017 editions, they finished at the bottom without a win. Clearly, Pakistan struggle for consistency at the World Cup. In the 2022-25 championship cycle, they managed only 8 wins in 24 matches, eventually making it through the home Qualifiers. Their recent near-record chase against South Africa provides them a glimmer of hope. That they will play all their matches at one venue – Colombo – could give them advantage.
SQUAD: Fatima Sana (c), Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (vc), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz, Syeda Aroob Shah
SRI LANKA
Hoping to leverage familiar conditions, Sri Lanka enter the World Cup on the back of a sparse schedule and mixed form, having played only eight ODIs this year, winning two with one rained out. This tournament will likely be the final ODI World Cup for veteran captain Chamari Athapaththu and experienced spinner Inoka Ranaweera. The team is in a rebuilding phase, but improved support from b a t t e r s l i k e H a r s h i t h a Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, and Kavisha Dilhari gives the squad a chance to send off their senior players with a strong performance.
SQUAD: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kaveesha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani, Imesha Dulani, Dewmi Vihanga, Piumi Wathsala, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Dasanayaka, Udeshika Prabodani, Malki Madara, Achini Kulasooriya
SCHEDULE
DATE MATCH TIME VENUE
Sep 30 IND vs SL 3pm Guwahati
Oct 1 AUS vs NZ 3pm Indore
Oct 2 BAN vs PAK 3pm Colombo
Oct 3 ENG vs SA 3pm Guwahati
Oct 4 AUS vs SL 3pm Colombo
Oct 5 IND vs PAK 3pm Colombo
Oct 6 NZ vs SA 3pm Indore
Oct 7 ENG vs BAN 3pm Guwahati
Oct 8 AUS vs PAK 3pm Colombo
Oct 9 IND vs SA 3pm Visakhapatnam
Oct 10 NZ vs BAN 3pm Visakhapatnam
Oct 11 ENG vs SL 3pm Colombo
Oct 12 IND vs AUS 3pm Visakhapatnam
Oct 13 SA vs BAN 3pm Visakhapatnam
Oct 14 NZ vs SL 3pm Colombo
Oct 15 ENG vs PAK 3pm Colombo
Oct 16 AUS vs BAN 3pm Visakhapatnam
Oct 17 SA vs SL 3pm Colombo
Oct 18 NZ vs PAK 3pm Colombo
Oct 19 IND vs ENG 3pm Indore
Oct 20 SL vs BAN 3pm Mumbai
Oct 21 SA vs PAK 3pm Colombo
Oct 22 AUS vs ENG 3pm Indore
Oct 23 IND vs NZ 3pm Mumbai
Oct 24 PAK vs SL 3pm Colombo
Oct 25 AUS v SA 3pm Indore
Oct 26 ENG vs NZ 11am Visakhapatnam
Oct 26 IND vs BAN 3pm Mumbai
Oct 29 SF 1 3pm Guwahati/Colombo
Oct 30 SF 2 3pm Mumbai
Nov 2 FINAL 3pm Mumbai/Colombo
VENUES
DY Patil Stadium Mumbai
Barsapara Cricket Stadium Guwahati
Holkar Cricket Stadium Indore
ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium Visakhapatnam
R Premadasa Stadium Colombo
*All Pakistan matches
will be played in Colombo
INDIA
India enter the World Cup with their most steady squad to date. The team’s strength comes from a stable top-order, led by the consistent batting of Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur. Their bowling unit also has extensive experience playing together, which provides a significant advantage. Despite these strengths, there are still some concerns, particularly with fielding and the fitness of Amanjot Kaur as she returns from injury. However, the return of Renuka Singh Thakur is a major boost to the bowling attack. Many believe this could be India’s best opportunity yet to win their first-ever World Cup title.
SQUAD: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Uma Chetry, Renuka Singh Thakur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud
AUSTRALIA
Having lost only four out of 31 ODIs since winning a seventh title four years ago, Australia enter the 2025 World Cup as overwhelming favourites. The team has undergone a leadership change, with legendary captain Meg Lanning retiring, but the new skipper Alyssa Healy still has a squad brimming with so much talent that they operate with near robot-like efficiency. To get a sense of their strength, consider this: they boast of four allrounders who all can bat in the top five, while all six of their specialist bowlers merit a place in the playing XI. Going into the World Cup, Australia face only two minor concerns: first, who to leave in the dug out; and second, managing the workload of key players returning from injury, namely Healy and Sophie Molineux.
SQUAD: Alyssa Healy (c), Darcie Brown, Ash Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham
BANGLADESH
Playing in just their second 50-over World Cup, Bangladesh couldn’t have been more underprepared. They haven’t played an international game in five months. Their preparations were limited to training camps and practice matches against U15 boys, where they performed badly. And, they will be without their leading wickettaker, off-spinner Jannatul Ferdus. Despite these challenges, they narrowly qualified, ahead of West Indies, and would hope to record their second victory in the World Cup matches.
SQUAD: Nigar Sultana Joty (c), Rubya Haider Jhelik, Nahida Akter, Fargana Hoque, Sharmin Akter Supta, Sobhana Mostary, Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Fariha Islam Trisna, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Nishita Akter Nishi, Sumaiya Akter
ENGLAND
The poor T20 World Cup and Ashes campaigns in 2024 forced England to change their leadership. They brought in Charlotte Edwards as coach and appointed Nat Sciver-Brunt as captain. The 50-over World Cup comes as the first major test for England under the new regime that took over in April this year. The squad, however, largely remains unchanged, with eight players from the 2022 runners-up side still in place. Early days under the new regime have brought mixed results — a clean sweep of both white-ball series with West Indies but losing both T20 and ODIs series to India. Edwards has set the bar at reaching the final.
SQUAD: Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Linsey Smith, Danni Wyatt-Hodge
SOUTH AFRICA
Their men’s team finally ended a long title drought by lifting the World Test Championship earlier this year. Will that success ease the pressure on the women’s team or raise expectations even higher? This tournament marks the first major assignment for new coach Mandla Mashimbyi. The squad revolves around a core of experienced players led by captain Laura Wolvaardt, with its strength lying in powerful all-rounders such as Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus, and Nadine de Klerk. One key concern remains the absence of a strike pacer of Shabnim Ismail’s calibre
SQUAD: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Ayabonga Khaka, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp, Tazmin Brits, Sinalo Jafta, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Annerie Dercksen, Anneke Bosch, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase
NEW ZEALAND
Led by retiring captain Sophie Devine, New Zealand is chasing a World Cup double after winning the T20 title last year. The squad is a mix of experienced players like Suzie Bates, Lea Tahuhu, and Amelia Kerr alongside several newcomers. With no ODIs in six months and only one series win since 2024, their preparation has not been ideal. However, training camps and stints in England’s domestic leagues have provided some crucial game time. Despite their inconsistent form, other teams will not underestimate them; they turned around a 10-match losing streak to win the T20 World Cup last year.
SQUAD: Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Melie Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Georgia Plimmer, Lea Tahuhu
PAKISTAN
Pakistan won just one match at the 2022 World Cup. In the 2013 and 2017 editions, they finished at the bottom without a win. Clearly, Pakistan struggle for consistency at the World Cup. In the 2022-25 championship cycle, they managed only 8 wins in 24 matches, eventually making it through the home Qualifiers. Their recent near-record chase against South Africa provides them a glimmer of hope. That they will play all their matches at one venue – Colombo – could give them advantage.
SQUAD: Fatima Sana (c), Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (vc), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz, Syeda Aroob Shah
SRI LANKA
Hoping to leverage familiar conditions, Sri Lanka enter the World Cup on the back of a sparse schedule and mixed form, having played only eight ODIs this year, winning two with one rained out. This tournament will likely be the final ODI World Cup for veteran captain Chamari Athapaththu and experienced spinner Inoka Ranaweera. The team is in a rebuilding phase, but improved support from b a t t e r s l i k e H a r s h i t h a Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, and Kavisha Dilhari gives the squad a chance to send off their senior players with a strong performance.
SQUAD: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kaveesha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani, Imesha Dulani, Dewmi Vihanga, Piumi Wathsala, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Dasanayaka, Udeshika Prabodani, Malki Madara, Achini Kulasooriya
SCHEDULE
DATE MATCH TIME VENUE
Sep 30 IND vs SL 3pm Guwahati
Oct 1 AUS vs NZ 3pm Indore
Oct 2 BAN vs PAK 3pm Colombo
Oct 3 ENG vs SA 3pm Guwahati
Oct 4 AUS vs SL 3pm Colombo
Oct 5 IND vs PAK 3pm Colombo
Oct 6 NZ vs SA 3pm Indore
Oct 7 ENG vs BAN 3pm Guwahati
Oct 8 AUS vs PAK 3pm Colombo
Oct 9 IND vs SA 3pm Visakhapatnam
Oct 10 NZ vs BAN 3pm Visakhapatnam
Oct 11 ENG vs SL 3pm Colombo
Oct 12 IND vs AUS 3pm Visakhapatnam
Oct 13 SA vs BAN 3pm Visakhapatnam
Oct 14 NZ vs SL 3pm Colombo
Oct 15 ENG vs PAK 3pm Colombo
Oct 16 AUS vs BAN 3pm Visakhapatnam
Oct 17 SA vs SL 3pm Colombo
Oct 18 NZ vs PAK 3pm Colombo
Oct 19 IND vs ENG 3pm Indore
Oct 20 SL vs BAN 3pm Mumbai
Oct 21 SA vs PAK 3pm Colombo
Oct 22 AUS vs ENG 3pm Indore
Oct 23 IND vs NZ 3pm Mumbai
Oct 24 PAK vs SL 3pm Colombo
Oct 25 AUS v SA 3pm Indore
Oct 26 ENG vs NZ 11am Visakhapatnam
Oct 26 IND vs BAN 3pm Mumbai
Oct 29 SF 1 3pm Guwahati/Colombo
Oct 30 SF 2 3pm Mumbai
Nov 2 FINAL 3pm Mumbai/Colombo
VENUES
DY Patil Stadium Mumbai
Barsapara Cricket Stadium Guwahati
Holkar Cricket Stadium Indore
ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium Visakhapatnam
R Premadasa Stadium Colombo
*All Pakistan matches
will be played in Colombo
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