It’s a home World Cup for all of us and we want to make it special for all our supporters who have stood behind the team throughout our journey. While it is an absolute honour to be leading the Indian side, that too in a home World Cup, the team and I are motivated to make the tournament memorable as we aspire to win the Trophy.

The journey in the buildup to this World Cup has been enriching as it has given us a chance to learn, unlearn and relearn in our quest to get better as a team. It has not only brought the team even closer but has also reignited the fire within us to get our hands on an ICC Trophy. While the team’s wait for the elusive ICC trophy is still on, this Indian team has been on the rise for a while and this time around, we want to take those big strides and break the barrier by winning the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.

The competition like it always has been, is stiff, but the team has complete belief in its skills, preparations and tenacity to overcome any challenge that comes its way. The recent results, playing at home and away, have been encouraging for the team as well and we are keen to build onto that momentum come the World Cup. Our preparations have been on track with our preparation camps in Vizag and before that at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru. The camps have been extremely helpful as they have helped us fine tune our game right before the World Cup.

There is a healthy mix of youth and experience in our World Cup squad across all the departments. There is plenty of batting talent around the group with Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Pratika Rawal, Richa Ghosh and Uma Chetry in the mix.

The bowling unit is equally impressive, with Renuka Singh Thakur and Arundhati Reddy accompanying the young and promising Kranti Gaud, N Sree Charani and Radha Yadav. Add to this, the three all-rounders in the form of Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana and Amanjot Kaur who can turn the tide of the game in India’s favour.

The support staff has been equally crucial in creating a wonderful vibe around and within the group; something which I believe will propel us to that elusive ICC title. We have always valued the support given by our fans and we are sure they will be cheering us on this time around as well. Their positive energy has been key to our success, and it will help us even more during this home World Cup.

With a well-balanced squad, a dedicated and focused preparation leading into the tournament and a team which is hungry and determined to succeed, we are entering the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 with positivity and belief. This Indian team is eager to thrive in the challenging conditions and ready to write a glorious chapter in the rich history of Indian cricket.

With thanks to the ICC for this column by India captain Harmanpreet Kaur

There is no shortage of ambition and drive in this team, and we will leave no stone unturned as we look to make a mark and go the distance, playing a fearless brand of cricket.

The expectation is straightforward: to bring glory to the country and our supporters who back us to the hilt, no matter which part of the world we play in.

Every member of the team looks at the Women’s T20 World Cup, in addition to every match we play, as an opportunity to put our best foot forward collectively and inspire the young and aspiring cricketers across the globe to follow and take up the sport which all of us love and respect.

It is our team’s dream to win this coveted trophy, and I feel, as a team, we have what it takes to lift the trophy. We made it to the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup final in Australia and came tantalisingly close to reaching the final in the previous edition in South Africa in 2023. It makes it clear that the team has the pedigree and what it takes to shine on the biggest stage.

This will be our first time playing in the UAE and there is excitement in the camp and a lot to look forward to. I am pretty sure the crowd will turn out in huge numbers as we play across Dubai and Sharjah.

There is a solid amount of experience in this group, which has been playing a lot of competitive cricket across the globe. While some of our team members are still in their early 20s, they have played a lot of cricket, have been through challenging situations and have come out triumphant.

Additionally, the new faces in the squad come with eagerness to learn and perform and bring that exuberance into the mix.

There is camaraderie in the group and a tremendous amount of respect towards each other. We back each other and make sure no one is ever left behind. It also helps that we have a support staff that plays a massive role in maintaining a healthy atmosphere in and around the team.

If anything, our preparations for this tournament commenced as soon as the last edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup came to an end.

The team has a clear vision and each individual has been given full freedom to prepare in the way which will help the team succeed.

While cricketing skills obviously matter, there is equal focus on the fitness of the players as we understand how much that aspect of the game matters and how much it can make a difference. It also helps that all the players have bought into this idea and system.

While the team’s strategies will vary as per the opposition, our focus largely remains to staying true to our strengths and doing full justice to our potential.

With thanks to the ICC

Kaur made history in 2016 when she became the first Indian cricketer – male or female – to sign a Big Bash League contract with Sydney Thunder, following an impressive showing during India’s tour of Australia, where she made a 31-ball 46 during their highest-ever T20 chase.

The 29 year-old, who has made 170 appearances for India in all three formats of the game, shot to fame in 2017 when she hit a match winning 171 not out against Australia in the semi-final of the ICC Women’s World Cup in Derby.

Harmanpreet Kaur said, “I am so pleased to sign for Lancashire Thunder ahead of the 2018 Kia Super League. I have followed the KSL for a while and I can’t wait to finally play in the competition, especially at a stadium like Emirates Old Trafford.

“I have fond memories of playing in England following last summer’s ICC Women’s World Cup, during which I scored my highest ever international score.

“I’m really looking forward to working with new Head Coach Alex Blackwell and I can’t wait to join up with the squad in the next few weeks.”

Lancashire Thunder Head Coach, Alex Blackwell, added, “I am thrilled to be able to welcome Harmanpreet to Emirates Old Trafford.

“She is somebody who I have played against on the international stage, and also played with in the Women’s Big Bash League. She is vastly experienced and she will be a great addition to our squad for what will be her first spell in the KSL.”

This summer’s KSL has doubled in size from five to 10 matches, with everyone playing each other home and away between July 22 and August 19. The top three of the six teams advance to Finals Day at Hove on August 27. Lancashire Thunder’s first game is against Loughborough Lightning at Southport and Birkdale Cricket Club on Sunday 22 July.

Tickets are on sale for all of Lancashire Thunder’s home fixtures, which sees the side play twice at Emirates Old Trafford as part of a Vitality Blast double header, as well as at Liverpool CC, Southport & Birkdale CC and Blackpool CC.

Tickets are available from £5 for adults and £1 for juniors and can be bought from http://cricket.lancashirecricket.co.uk/tickets/.

Courtesy of Lancashire Cricket Club