While India’s women’s World Cup victory came from their own talent, there were a number of additional factors that also contributed to this success: timing, temperament, and the ability to “peak” under extreme pressure. All of these elements were evident with the Indian Women’s ODI team in preparation for 2025. The ODI campaign included a total of 23 games, which resulted in 15 victories and 7 defeats, and a winning/losing record of 65.22%, but the numbers represented only half the story.
Smriti Mandhana — 1,362 Runs: The Tempo Controller-in-Chief
Smriti Mandhana
Smriti Mandhana’s bat was the only one that provided an India Women’s batting pulse in 2025. With 1,362 runs in 23 ODIs, finishing as the top run scorer in women’s ODIs for the year, Mandhana averaged an astonishing 61.90 per innings at a strike rate of 109.92 per innings. These are not just elite numbers, they are dominance statistics.
The most impressive thing about Mandhana’s performance was that she didn’t just hit many runs – she showed great ability to adjust her game. She had an unremarkable beginning to the World Cup (in terms of batting), then made adjustments quickly: she scored 434 runs at an average of 54.25 in the World Cup with 1 hundred, 1 fifty, and a key 45 in the final match. Her statistics also include five hundreds, five fifties, as well as aggressive pre-World Cup innings – for example, 125 from 63 deliveries in Delhi and 135 from 80 against Ireland – and clearly demonstrated that she could be either the team’s defensive anchor or its destructive force.
Pratika Rawal — 976 Runs: The Breakout Opener Who Changed Starts
Pratika Rawal
Every champion side needs a surprise package, and in 2025, Pratika Rawal was India’s gift to ODI cricket. The opener amassed 976 runs in 21 matches, averaging 51.36, a figure that instantly places her among the elite. But Rawal’s impact went beyond averages. She gave India a clean start, something they’d long searched for in big tournaments.
Her 154 vs Ireland in Rajkot was a statement innings, but the World Cup hundred 122 vs New Zealand was a career-defining one. Rawal scored 308 runs in six World Cup innings, averaging 51.33, before injury cruelly ruled her out of the knockouts. By then, the damage was done, the opposition were already on the back foot by the 15th over.
Jemimah Rodrigues — 771 Runs: The Middle-Order Problem Solver
Jemimah Rodrigues
Middle Order Play in ODIs is about surviving as long as you can; Jemimah Rodrigues has changed that style of play to dominating your opponents, with survival as secondary to dominance. In Jemimah’s 20 matches, she has scored 771 runs with an average of 51.40 and a strike rate of 105.18, which are very rare statistics combining control and aggressive play.
Jemimah’s defining performance in the World Cup semi-final versus Australia (in Navi Mumbai) was an innings of 127 runs from 134 deliveries*. Jemimah found the right balance between being composed while displaying the ability to be quietly brutal. She also produced many crucial innings, including 76 runs off 55 deliveries* vs. New Zealand, and hundreds against both Ireland and Sri Lanka when they were playing under no pressure and when there was a great deal of pressure on them, respectively.
Key Takeaway
India’s World Cup win wasn’t powered by moments; it was powered by a top three that owned every phase of the ODI game.
FAQs
- What made Smriti Mandhana the standout batter of 2025?
Her ability to score big runs at a high strike rate while adapting to match situations, especially in the World Cup.
- Why was Pratika Rawal’s role crucial despite missing knockouts?
Her consistent fast starts shifted pressure early, allowing India to control games upfront.
- How did Jemimah Rodrigues impact India’s World Cup run?
By anchoring and accelerating in the middle order, particularly with her match-winning semifinal knock against Australia.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
Step into the world of cricket with JeetBuzz News—where expert opinions, trending Blogs, and behind-the-scenes insights meet all your favorite topics. Stay informed, stay entertained, and never miss the stories shaping the cricketing world—only on JeetBuzz News!
