Cricket figures including Mithali Raj and Yuvraj Singh took part in panel discussions in Mumbai to mark the ‘50 Days to Go’ milestone for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. The event also saw the launch of the tournament’s Trophy Tour.
The function was inaugurated by ICC Chairman Jay Shah, with the panels featuring India players Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues, alongside ICC Chief Executive Officer Sanjog Gupta. Discussions covered the growth of women’s cricket and its future prospects.
Jay Shah said the upcoming World Cup was an opportunity to further develop women’s cricket and valued the contributions of past and present players to the discussions.
“The return of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 to India comes at a defining moment for the women’s game, setting the stage for a truly world-class tournament that will further elevate the sport’s global stature.
“At the ICC, we remain open to new ideas and are constantly exploring ways to sustain the upward momentum of women’s cricket. Conversations like today’s panel discussion are invaluable in shaping our collective vision and driving progress.
“With just 50 days to go until the start of the tournament, preparations are well underway, and excitement is building. I extend my best wishes to all participating teams as they gear up for the challenge. I am confident they will have an unforgettable experience in India and Sri Lanka,” he said.
Speaking at an event in Mumbai to mark ‘50 Days to Go’ for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta said: “There is a larger picture here, which has to do with what this means for the country. The growth of women’s cricket, in many ways, is a reflection of the country’s progress.”
“In every sense, the growth of women’s cricket over the last eight years has brought us to this moment where it is time for the game to take its next leap. This World Cup can be the springboard for that next leap. World Cups are more than just events; they are apertures for building trans-generational legacies and fostering new cultures,” he added.
The tournament will be played in a round-robin format featuring eight teams – Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka. It will be the first women’s global cricket event in the sub-continent since India hosted the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2016. India previously hosted the Women’s World Cup in 1978, 1997 and 2013.
The Trophy Tour will travel through all host cities, as well as Delhi and Mumbai, visiting landmarks and schools. As part of a school legacy programme, the ICC and the BCCI will work with stakeholders to allow selected schools to attend World Cup matches. Updates on the tour will be shared via the @icctrophytour Instagram channel.
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