With the countdown officially at 50 days, excitement is building as India prepares to host the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 (CWC25). The tournament, which begins on 30 September in Bengaluru, will see India face Sri Lanka in the opener, setting the stage for an action-packed month of cricket.
At a special “50 Days to Go” event in Mumbai, 2011 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Player of the Tournament Yuvraj Singh offered valuable insights for the Indian women’s cricket team. Drawing from his own experience of winning the 2011 World Cup on home soil, Yuvraj stressed that success in such a prestigious event comes not from hype, but from focus, discipline, and belief.
Staying Grounded: Yuvraj’s Process-First Philosophy
Yuvraj Singh knows what it’s like to carry a nation’s hopes. In 2011, the Indian men’s team lifted the World Cup after 28 years, and Yuvraj was at the heart of that triumph. Speaking at the event, he described the 50-over World Cup as “the World Cup” and urged the women’s team to appreciate the magnitude of this rare moment.
“These moments don’t come often in your life. It’s a great opportunity to create history. But that doesn’t mean from the start you think you’re winning it. You have to put in the process, and the results will come,” Yuvraj said.
He also reminded the players of India’s recent near-misses in women’s cricket finals that slipped away despite strong campaigns. His message was clear: focus on playing each game to its fullest rather than obsessing over the final outcome.
Handling the Pressure of a Home World Cup
Playing a World Cup in India is both an honor and a high-pressure challenge. Yuvraj acknowledged that the fans’ passion can be electrifying, but it can also weigh heavily on the players.
“The fans want fours, sixes, and wickets. That’s what they come for—they want entertainment. But if you want to win the World Cup, you have to stay in control in high-pressure moments,” he explained.
Yuvraj recalled his own experiences of tense matches, noting that teams must be prepared for times when things don’t go according to plan.
“There will be moments when things aren’t going well. That’s when experience and self-belief have to take over. Every time you walk into the game, you have to believe you can be the player in that moment,” he added.
This advice hits at the heart of mental resilience—a quality that can make the difference between falling short and lifting the trophy.
Mithali Raj on the Growth of Women’s Cricket in India
Also present at the event was Mithali Raj, former India women’s cricket captain and one of the most influential figures in the sport. She reflected on her journey and the transformation women’s cricket has undergone in the country.
Mithali highlighted how joining the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2006 was a turning point. Before that, international opportunities for women cricketers were scarce, and domestic infrastructure lacked the financial backing it needed.
“Coming under BCCI was huge. The domestic setup improved, and players got regular opportunities to play, which helped keep momentum,” she said.
Another milestone came when women’s cricket moved under the International Cricket Council (ICC), bringing live broadcasts and wider visibility. Mithali recalled how her father saw her on TV for the first time during the 2009 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup—a moment that showed the sport was gaining traction.
She also shared how promotions during the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup made her realize just how far the game had come. “It wasn’t just one moment—it’s been a journey,” she reflected. “It’s good to have been part of it.”
Why Yuvraj’s Advice Matters for CWC25
The Indian women’s cricket team has shown promise in recent years, reaching the finals of major ICC tournaments but narrowly missing out on the trophy. Yuvraj’s advice to “stay in the moment” and focus on processes could help players avoid the trap of thinking too far ahead or getting overwhelmed by the occasion.
This mindset was a key factor in India’s men’s team winning the 2011 World Cup. By concentrating on each game rather than the final, they managed to keep pressure in check and deliver when it mattered most. For the women’s team, replicating this mental approach could be the missing piece in their quest for World Cup glory.
The Road Ahead for India in ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025
The Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 will feature the best teams from around the globe, each aiming to claim the sport’s most prestigious title. India’s home advantage could be significant—familiar pitches, passionate support, and the comfort of playing in known conditions.
However, as Yuvraj pointed out, home advantage can also bring added expectations. To succeed, the team will need:
Consistent performances across all matches
Strong mental preparation for high-pressure moments
A focus on teamwork and execution rather than just results
The ability to adapt to different match situations
With players like Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Shafali Verma in their ranks, India has the talent to challenge any team. The question is whether they can translate that potential into results under the bright lights of a home World Cup.
Final Thoughts
As the countdown to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 continues, Yuvraj Singh’s words serve as both a reality check and a rallying cry. Winning a World Cup requires more than skill—it demands focus, patience, adaptability, and unwavering belief.
Mithali Raj’s reflections remind us of the journey women’s cricket in India has taken to reach this point. Now, with the world watching and the nation behind them, the Indian women’s team has a golden opportunity to make history on home soil.
On 30 September 2025, when the first ball is bowled in Bengaluru against Sri Lanka, the hopes of millions will rest on the shoulders of the players. If they can take Yuvraj’s advice to heart—stay in the moment, trust the process, and believe—they might just lift the trophy that has so far eluded them.
