The ICC’s announcement of the Women’s World Cup 2025 Team of the Tournament featured three Indian stars — Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Deepti Sharma — a powerful testament to India’s dominance throughout their title-winning campaign. All three played defining roles, shaping India’s historic run and leaving an unmistakable mark on the global stage.
Smriti Mandhana, India’s dependable opener, was picked for her consistency and class across the tournament. She finished with over 430 runs at an average above 50, including a commanding century and multiple fifties. Her poise at the top of the order was instrumental in providing India with solid starts, especially in tight group-stage matches where stability was crucial. Mandhana’s shot selection, temperament, and ability to accelerate after settling in were central to India’s strategy and success.
At No. 3, Jemimah Rodrigues provided the perfect bridge between the top order and middle order. Her unbeaten 127 in the semi-final against Australia was one of the tournament’s defining knocks — a blend of precision, intent, and fearlessness. Across the competition, she accumulated nearly 300 runs at an average close to 60, showcasing her maturity and adaptability. Rodrigues repeatedly delivered in pressure situations, often shifting gears as the game demanded, making her one of the most valuable batters of the event.
Deepti Sharma emerged as the tournament’s heartbeat and was rightfully crowned Player of the Tournament. As the leading wicket-taker with more than 20 wickets, her contributions with the ball were unmatched. Her spell of 5 for 39 in the final was a masterclass in control and game awareness, breaking South Africa’s resistance at crucial moments. Complementing her bowling heroics, Deepti also scored over 200 runs in the tournament, including a pivotal half-century in the final. Her all-round influence made her indispensable — the kind of player who shifts matches on her own.
The presence of three Indian players in such an elite XI sends a clear message: India’s rise in women’s cricket is not a momentary flash but the result of growing depth, strong development structures, and players who have embraced the big stage without hesitation. Mandhana’s leadership with the bat, Rodrigues’ composure, and Deepti’s all-round authority collectively represented the identity of this champion side — balanced, fearless, and relentlessly competitive.
India’s World Cup triumph was historic, but the recognition from the ICC further amplifies its significance. These selections will resonate long beyond the tournament, inspiring a new generation of young girls across India who now have clear and powerful role models to look up to. The 2025 squad has shifted the perception of what is possible, not just for Indian women’s cricket but for women’s sport in the country at large.
With Mandhana, Rodrigues, and Deepti setting the benchmark, India’s future in women’s cricket looks brighter than ever — disciplined, ambitious, and geared for sustained global success.
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