Guwahati, Sept 30, 2025 – With the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup just around the corner, India’s squad is brimming with confidence despite mixed results in their warm-up fixtures. The Women in Blue will kick off their campaign against Sri Lanka in Guwahati, aiming to deliver the country its first-ever Women’s World Cup title.
A recent four-wicket victory over New Zealand has bolstered India’s morale, showcasing both resilience and match-winning talent. All-rounder Harleen Deol starred with the bat, scoring 74 off 79 balls with 10 boundaries, while Arundhati Reddy impressed with the ball, claiming 2-42 off 9 overs.
“This match gave us good confidence going into the World Cup,” said Deol after the win. “We wanted to take the game deep and build belief in ourselves ahead of the tournament.”
Reddy’s Remarkable Comeback
Arundhati Reddy’s performance was particularly inspiring. Just days earlier, she suffered a scare against England when she was struck on the knee by a drive from Heather Knight, forcing her off the field in a wheelchair. Yet Reddy returned to bowl a full nine overs against New Zealand, proving her fitness and determination.
“Initially it was scary for me,” Reddy admitted. “I was really scared to even get up. But the medical team gave me the confidence to play, and I’m thankful to them.”
Her 2-42 performance was crucial in restricting the White Ferns, allowing India to chase down 232/8 comfortably with nearly 10 overs remaining.
Early Momentum Key to World Cup Aspirations
Following their opener against Sri Lanka, India will face Pakistan in Colombo on October 5, a match expected to draw huge attention. Early wins are seen as essential for setting up a strong run deep into the tournament, especially with India hosting the event for the first time since 2013.
Currently ranked third in ODIs, behind only Australia and England, India’s squad is confident that momentum from the New Zealand win can carry them forward. The combination of seasoned players and emerging talents gives the team a balanced edge heading into the World Cup. “We got valuable game time and feel really prepared as a team,” Reddy said. “We’re looking forward to playing our first match against Sri Lanka and giving our fans something to cheer about.”
Key Players to Watch:
- Harleen Deol – In-form batter with the ability to anchor chases
- Arundhati Reddy – Resilient all-rounder providing crucial breakthroughs
- Shafali Verma – Explosive opener capable of giving India strong starts
India’s belief is high, and with the home crowd behind them, the Women in Blue are ready to make a statement on the world stage.