Harmanpreet Confident of Title Push as Healy Predicts “Tightest World Cup Yet”
With the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 set to begin in India, captains from across the globe gathered in Bengaluru for the pre-tournament press conference, setting the tone for what promises to be one of the most competitive editions in recent history. India’s skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Australia’s Alyssa Healy, representing two of the tournament favourites, expressed optimism, determination, and caution ahead of the showpiece event.
Harmanpreet: "We will cross the line this time"
India have come agonisingly close in recent ICC tournaments — falling short in the finals of the 2020 T20 World Cup, 2022 Commonwealth Games, and 2024 Asia Cup. But with the 2025 ODI World Cup being co-hosted at home, Harmanpreet believes the stage is set for redemption.
“No doubt we have been through these situations many times,” Harmanpreet said. “We’ve played good cricket, and it’s only about going with confidence and doing what’s expected of us. We’ve learned from our mistakes, and hopefully this time, we will be on the other side.”
This will be Harmanpreet’s fifth ODI World Cup appearance but her first as captain — and leading India at home adds a personal milestone to the challenge.
“Leading your country is always special, but doing it in a home World Cup is unbelievable,” she said. “It was only a dream when I started playing. Everything is exciting right now, and I’ve told the team not to take too much pressure — just go out there and enjoy our best cricket.”
India have had a strong build-up, winning 10 of their 14 ODIs in 2025. Smriti Mandhana has been the standout performer, scoring a tournament-leading 928 runs so far this year.
“She has been phenomenal,” Harmanpreet said. “When I bat with her, things feel easy. Having her in the team is a huge strength.”
India will play most of their group-stage matches at home — in Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, Indore, and Navi Mumbai — with their only away fixture being against Pakistan in Colombo. Only Visakhapatnam has previously hosted a women's ODI, but Harmanpreet isn't concerned about the unfamiliarity.
“The wickets will be flat. We’ll get practice sessions and data to prepare. It’s more about staying in the right mindset,” she added.
Healy: “This will be the tightest World Cup we’ve played”
Defending champions Australia enter the tournament as favourites, having won seven ODI World Cup titles — the most by any team. However, skipper Alyssa Healy believes the 2025 edition will be unlike any before.
“I firmly believe this is going to be the tightest World Cup that we’ve been a part of,” Healy said. “Every team is here to win. It’s not about defending the title — we have to beat every side to lift the trophy.”
Australia's dominance in the format continues — they've lost just two of their 18 ODIs since the start of 2024, including a recent 2-1 series win in India. Yet Healy stressed there’s no room for complacency.
“It’s not in the Australian culture to get complacent,” she said. “People write more about us when we lose than when we win, which keeps us grounded. I feel like I’m part of a really special group that wants to improve every day — on and off the field.”
Healy also highlighted the importance of mental toughness in this high-stakes tournament.
“It’s going to be about who can hold their composure the longest. Conditions will change, pressure will build — and the team that adapts and responds the best will go the distance,” she said.
Tournament Outlook
India are aiming to win their first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup, while Australia are looking to add an eighth title. With teams like England, South Africa, and New Zealand also fielding strong squads, the 2025 edition promises to be one of the most tightly contested tournaments in women's cricket history.
As Healy summed it up: “Every team is on equal footing. It’s about handling the pressure and enjoying the game.”
The World Cup kicks off next week, with all eyes on the hosts and defending champions as they begin their campaigns in pursuit of cricket’s most coveted prize.