ICC Unveils Full Schedule For Women’s ODI World Cup 2025; India-Pakistan Clash To Take Place In Colombo

The ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 is set to make a triumphant return to the Indian subcontinent after a 12-year hiatus, kicking off on September 30 in Bengaluru. Co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, this 13th edition features eight elite teams battling across five venues before culminating in the grand final on November 2. With format unchanged—round-robin followed by semi-finals and a final—the tournament promises intense competition, restored rivalries, and a renewed spotlight on women’s cricket.

Groups, Glory, and the Grounds That Matter

🗓 Key Dates & Venues

Matches unfold across five locations:

India: Bengaluru, Indore (Holkar Stadium), Guwahati, Visakhapatnam
Sri Lanka: Colombo (Premadasa Stadium)

Opening Match – September 30, 3 pm IST: India vs Sri Lanka, Bengaluru
Highlights include marquee clashes like Australia vs New Zealand (Oct 1, Indore), India vs Pakistan (Oct 5, Colombo), and India vs Australia (Oct 12, Vizag). The round-robin concludes October 26 with a double-header in Guwahati and Bengaluru.

🎯 Knockouts Defined

Top four teams progress. Semi-final 1 will be played October 29 in Guwahati or Colombo; Semi-final 2 on October 30 in Bengaluru. The Final on November 2 may take place in Bengaluru—or, should Pakistan qualify, in Colombo.

Opening Fireworks: India vs Sri Lanka

Bengaluru will host the curtain-raiser featuring hometown favorites India facing Sri Lanka. Expect a packed stadium, heat on Sri Lanka’s batters, and pressure on India to announce their intentions from day one.

Anticipation Builds: The India–Pakistan Rivalry

Arguably the tournament’s most eagerly awaited clash, India vs Pakistan is set for October 5 at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo—a neutral venue decided under a hybrid hosting agreement amid ongoing political tensions. Mindful of recent geopolitical friction, cricket diplomacy remains an unmissable subplot.

Early Challenges and Tactical Showdowns

Australia vs New Zealand opens Oct 1 (Indore)—a battle of defending champions vs T20 pride.
England vs South Africa on Oct 3 (Bengaluru) brings a rematch of the 2022 ODI final.
Bangladesh vs Pakistan (Oct 2, Colombo)—an opportunity for both to assert themselves early.

India’s other high-stakes games include contests v SA (Oct 9, Vizag), Aus (Oct 12), Eng (Oct 19, Indore), and Ban (Oct 26)—a gauntlet that will test depth and adaptability.

Format Familiarity: Round-Robin to Redefine Rankings

Eight teams, each facing every other once (28 league matches), making for relentless competition. Only the top four proceed—placing a premium on consistency and run-rate management . All teams also play two warm-ups in late September.

Historic Return: India Hosts Again After 12 Years

The last Women’s ODI World Cup in India came in 2013. In 2016, India staged the WT20—this year marks a fresh focus on women’s ODI excellence and fan engagement across five major centers. Indore debuts as a host in ODI women’s championship, while Guwahati and Visakhapatnam continue to expand the venue footprint.

World Cup Contenders: Lineups and Legacies

Australia: Six-time winners, chasing a seventh title. Their campaign opens against New Zealand.
England: 20-time finalists, 2017 ODI champions, poised to challenge early.
New Zealand: T20 champions, beginning with Australia and facing India mid-tournament.
South Africa: Consistent performers with a hunger for that elusive title.
India: Home advantage, rising stars—expected to contend fiercely.
Pakistan: Unsung outsiders, with all matches in Colombo awaiting them.
Bangladesh & Sri Lanka: Emerging hopefuls, aiming to build on recent form.

Neutral Venue Model: A Cricket Diplomatic Script

Building on the men’s Champions Trophy 2025 compromise, Pakistan’s women will play all group matches—and potential knockouts—in Colombo. Sri Lanka will host Pakistan vs South Africa, England, NZ, and SL matchups from October 2–24. This model extends to the T20 Women’s WC 2028 and men’s 2026 event—a pragmatic solution amid ongoing bilateral freezes.

Indian Stars to Watch

Smriti Mandhana, currently ranked #2 in women’s ODI rankings, will lead the batting order . That star duo includes Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Tanuja Sanjiva, while the seam attack will feature Poonam Yadav, Shikha Pandey, and newcomers hoping to steal the show.

India begins warm-ups vs England (Sept 24, Bengaluru) and SA (Sept 27, Guwahati) ahead of the tournament, helping the squad sharpen skills and cohesion.

Sri Lanka: Home Hosts with Pride

Returning as co-hosts for the first time, Sri Lanka taps into crowd power. Venues in Colombo and Bengaluru welcome homegrown talent to lift the nation’s performance. With the home advantage in climate and pitch familiarity, Sri Lanka will aim to surprise.

The Big Picture: Growth of Women’s Cricket in Asia

Between India hosting, Sri Lanka inclusion, and the Tri-Nation series in Colombo (April–May), Asia’s women’s cricket strides continue.

Eight-team format might be the last in this structure—future expansions are being discussed with growing global participation .

What to Expect from the Knockouts

Routes to semis: Knockouts (Oct 29–30) likely hinge on net run-rate, head-to-head results, and performance in key strategic matches.
Venue logic: If Pakistan qualifies, Colombo will host Semi 1 and likely the Final. Otherwise, Bengaluru remains final’s anchor.
Final stage theatre: Expect semifinal deciders to be dog-fights, especially under the crowd heat of Bengaluru or Colombo.

A Festival of Sport, Unity, and Opportunity

The 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup brings sport and society together—fierce rivalries, growing engagement, diplomatic accommodations, and rising talent merging on one stage. Starting with India’s return to hosting duties, tussles like India vs Pakistan and Australia vs New Zealand, and ending with an epic final between November 2, this is poised to be transformative for women’s cricket.

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