India vs Pakistan Clash Breaks Viewership Records in Women's World Cup
The high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan in the ongoing ICC Women’s ODI World Cup has shattered multiple viewership records, emerging as the most-watched women’s international cricket match of all time.
Played on October 5 in Colombo, the marquee league-stage fixture garnered a digital reach of 28.4 million and an astounding 1.87 billion minutes of watch-time, according to a statement released by the ICC on Thursday. The match also became the highest-rated league-stage encounter in the history of the Women's World Cup in terms of TV viewership.
Surge in Overall Viewership
The strong numbers from the India vs Pakistan match contributed significantly to what the ICC described as a "record-breaking" start to the tournament. Across the first 11 matches, the event delivered a reach of 72 million viewers, marking a 166% increase from the previous edition in 2022. Viewing minutes also witnessed a dramatic jump, soaring 327% to reach 6.3 billion.
India’s matches against Sri Lanka and South Africa also drew impressive audiences, indicating a growing appetite for women’s cricket across the region.
Stadium Attendance and Local Support
On-ground attendance has also been encouraging, especially during matches involving hosts Sri Lanka or tournament favourites India. However, fixtures between visiting teams with limited local following have seen relatively lower turnouts — sometimes only in the four-figure range. Weather conditions in Colombo have also impacted crowd sizes for some games.
Digital Platforms Driving Growth
According to data jointly released by the ICC and streaming partner JioHotstar, the first 13 matches of the tournament have collectively reached over 60 million viewers, representing a fivefold increase over the 2022 edition. Total watch-time on digital platforms has hit 7 billion minutes, up twelve times from the last tournament.
Another major highlight was the India vs Australia match on October 12, which recorded 4.8 million peak concurrent viewers on JioHotstar — setting yet another all-time high for women's cricket.
Rising Stars and Fan Engagement
India's young wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh played a pivotal role in the match against Pakistan, remaining unbeaten on 35 and showcasing her finishing prowess. Her performance, coupled with the historic rivalry between the two nations, drew massive attention and engagement from fans across the world.
With record-setting numbers both on television and digital platforms, the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup is not only elevating the sport's profile but also signaling a bright future for women’s cricket globally.