The wait is over—India’s 2025 World Cup Squad is here, promising thrills, surprises, and some fresh faces to watch. Harmanpreet Kaur is leading the squad, and Shafali Verma has been omitted due to poor form, which feels like a whole new era for Indian women’s cricket. Aside from some of the well-known names are some players that weren’t part of the 2022 World Cup squad who are also joining. These players are for a bit of a change, from young all-rounders to spin specialists – it’s interesting to see what they might do that we weren’t expecting. 

 

Jemimah Rodrigues 

 

First on our podium of players is Jemimah Rodrigues—the name that sells newspapers. Although she missed out on being selected to the 2022 World Cup squad, Rodrigues had plenty of chances to develop her game around the world. With over 50 ODIs and 112 T20Is under her belt, she has been in the high-pressure cooker of international cricket. Rodrigues is a flexible batter who rotates the strike, finds the gaps easily, and deposits balls into the boundary when required. She has good fielding skills, which is wonderful to have in critical moments. 

 

Harleen Deol 

 

Next is Harleen Deol, an elegant batter who missed out on the last World Cup and is now excited to play. Deol has a fantastic record, having averaged 33 after playing 27 ODIs, and has shown she can play the role of anchor if needed. Deol has shown a good reading of spin, and, coupled with how she moves her feet to get to the right spot, she is a nightmare for spinners, especially at home. While she might not be the loudest or flashiest player, her methodical way of accumulating runs and selective but mainly decent shot selection is ideally suited to be India’s anchor for the middle-order. 

 

Arundhati Reddy 

 

Arundhati Reddy’s return is one to watch. Reddy has a real never-say-die attitude, and she has earned her way back into the team through some incredible domestic performances. A seam-bowling all-rounder, Reddy can bowl with the new ball in the early stage of any innings as well as bowl at the death and middle overs. Don’t sleep on this batswoman, while she hasn’t always been in the hype with the willow, she can score runs when it matters in critical moments. 

 

Amanjot Kaur 

 

Amanjot Kaur’s inclusion is a masterstroke, adding both firepower and versatility to India’s lineup. The 24-year-old all-rounder is capable of being a match-winner with her medium-pace bowling, accounting for the variety of slower balls and cutters which are bound to bamboozle most batters. She is also able to offer runs herself, making her a real double threat. Kaur will be suited to playing on the slow, dusty pitches in India, and has the potential to be a key weapon for the team in particularly when matches get close. 

 

Radha Yadav 

 

At last, as a promising left-arm spinner with limited international experience, Radha Yadav will make her World Cup debut. The 24-year-old has played just eight ODIs and, while her statistics would not set your heart on fire, the selectors saw the potential during the selection meetings. Sometimes, the biggest impact players can come from the quietest of picks, and Radha may be that ace up India’s potential sleeve.

 

FAQs

 

  1. Who is the vice-captain of the squad?

Smriti Mandhana has been named vice-captain.

 

  1. Which players are making their World Cup debut in 2025?

Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Arundhati Reddy, Amanjot Kaur, and Radha Yadav are debuting.

 

  1. What makes Jemimah Rodrigues a standout pick?

Her global experience and ability to rotate strike and hit boundaries make her a key asset.