Former India women’s captain Diana Edulji firmly believes that an Indian victory in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup could be a game-changer for women’s cricket across the nation. Speaking from Guwahati, Edulji stated, “If India secures this win, it will echo the monumental impact of the men’s team’s triumph in the 1983 World Cup. Such a victory would redefine women’s cricket in India, inspiring countless young girls to take up the sport and significantly bolster our domestic cricket infrastructure.”
Edulji, 69, currently serves as an advisor for women’s cricket to the Mumbai Cricket Association. She was among the former India captains invited by the BCCI to the tournament’s opening ceremony. Her advice to the current squad is clear: focus on one match at a time. “Don’t get ahead of yourselves. Every single match matters. Work on reducing dot balls and converting singles into doubles. Every run is precious. Play to your unique strengths. There’s no need to imitate powerhouse teams like Australia or England with their pace attacks. Give your absolute best; the home crowd is fully behind you,” she urged.
Edulji cautioned against over-reliance on individual stars, specifically mentioning prolific opener and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, who has been in exceptional form. She recalled the 2017 Women’s World Cup, noting, “Often, one player carried the team. Smriti and Deepti shone in the league stages, and Harmanpreet stepped up significantly in the semifinal. But this time, everyone must contribute. Players like Richa, Jemimah, and Harleen also need to make their mark. You simply cannot leave all the scoring burden to just Smriti and Harmanpreet.”
She also commended the BCCI for inviting former captains to the opening ceremony and praised the impressive turnout at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, especially during the Durga Puja festivities. “The team’s body language was incredibly strong, and their unity was palpable, which is absolutely vital,” she added.
Highlighting promising young talent, Edulji specifically pointed out pacer Kranti Goud as an emerging star. “Her inswingers during the England tour were a delight to watch, and she also boasts an excellent outswinger. For a new pacer, she is truly impressive. I sincerely hope Renuka Singh maintains her fitness, as she is our primary strike bowler. Among the spinners, Deepti Sharma will be crucial, with her ability to take wickets at any stage of the game,” Edulji explained.
Edulji further endorsed the selection of Pratika Rawal over Shafali Verma for the ODIs. She explained, “Shafali needs to dedicate herself to improving her fitness and adapting her game for the 50-over format. Rawal, on the other hand, has shown consistent performance and possesses sound technique; her only area for improvement is to reduce dot balls.”
The 2025 tournament marks the 13th edition of the Women’s ODI World Cup and the fourth time India has had the honor of hosting, following previous editions in 1978, 1997, and 2013. The current scale and infrastructure of the event clearly demonstrate the rapid global growth of women’s cricket. “When India last hosted in 2013, matches were confined to smaller venues. Now, we boast world-class stadiums in Navi Mumbai, Guwahati, Vizag, Indore, and Colombo. The players should acknowledge the BCCI if they manage to lift the trophy, as it will undoubtedly inspire an entirely new generation of cricketers,” Edulji concluded.
Edulji’s profound insights underscore the evolving landscape of the sport, the escalating standards in both domestic and international cricket, and the immense responsibilities resting on the shoulders of the current generation of players. With a blend of seasoned leadership and promising young talent, India is poised to make a profound and lasting impact on the world stage.