The countdown has begun for the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) unveiling the complete schedule for the marquee event. Cricket fans around the globe have marked October 5 as a red-letter day, as arch-rivals India and Pakistan are set to lock horns at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. This electrifying fixture promises to be one of the highlights of a tournament already brimming with excitement.
Scheduled to begin on September 30, the tournament will see India launching their campaign against Sri Lanka at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. With 28 league encounters followed by three knockout clashes, the month-long extravaganza will culminate with the grand finale on November 2 in either Bengaluru or Colombo.
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India’s Journey Begins at Home, Peaks in Colombo
India’s opening clash against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru will set the tone for their World Cup journey. However, it’s their second fixture, the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan match in Colombo on October 5, that will truly capture the imagination of fans. The intense rivalry between the two nations transcends cricket, making this encounter a must-watch spectacle.
Following the showdown with Pakistan, India will face formidable opponents, including defending champions Australia on October 12 in Visakhapatnam and England on October 19 in Indore. They will conclude their round-robin phase against Bangladesh on October 26 in Bengaluru — a double-header day that also features England taking on New Zealand in Guwahati.
Neutral Venue for Pakistan Amid Political Tensions
In a decision shaped by ongoing geopolitical complexities, Pakistan will play all their league-stage matches in Colombo. This arrangement stems from the hybrid model negotiated between the BCCI and the PCB, ensuring Pakistan’s participation while respecting diplomatic sensitivities. In return, India agreed to play its 2025 Champions Trophy matches at neutral venues instead of traveling to Pakistan.
Pakistan’s fixture list in Colombo is packed, with games against Bangladesh (Oct 2), Australia (Oct 8), England (Oct 15), New Zealand (Oct 18), South Africa (Oct 21), and Sri Lanka (Oct 24) following their clash with India. The R Premadasa Stadium, therefore, becomes a focal point of this tournament, hosting as many as 11 round-robin matches, four of which involve hosts Sri Lanka.
Australia Eye Another Crown
Defending champions Australia will open their title defense against New Zealand on October 1 in Indore. Their highly anticipated rematch of the previous edition’s final against England is set for October 22 at the same venue. Before facing India in Vizag on October 12, Australia will also battle Sri Lanka (Oct 4), Pakistan (Oct 8), Bangladesh (Oct 16), and South Africa (Oct 25), underscoring the challenging road ahead in their bid to retain the trophy.
Knockout Drama Awaits
The culmination of the group stage on October 26 will pave the way for three knockout encounters. The first semi-final will be held on October 29, either in Guwahati or Colombo, depending on Pakistan’s qualification. The second semi-final is set for October 30 in Bengaluru, with the championship-deciding final slated for November 2.
All matches throughout the tournament are scheduled to be played under lights with a 3 PM IST start, promising prime-time cricket for fans worldwide.
Road to Qualification and Format
India is hosting the Women’s ODI World Cup for the first time since 2013, rekindling memories of past glory. The format mirrors the 2022 edition, with eight participating nations competing in a round-robin phase. The top four will advance to the semifinals.
While India, Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka secured direct qualification, Pakistan and Bangladesh earned their places via the qualifiers in Lahore earlier this year. Unfortunately for West Indies, a lower net run-rate saw them miss out.
Key Fixtures to Watch
- September 30: India vs Sri Lanka – Bengaluru
- October 5: India vs Pakistan – Colombo
- October 12: India vs Australia – Visakhapatnam
- October 19: India vs England – Indore
- October 26: India vs Bangladesh – Bengaluru
Full fixture of the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Sept (Tue) | India vs Sri Lanka | Bengaluru |
| 1 Oct (Wed) | Australia vs New Zealand | Indore |
| 2 Oct (Thu) | Bangladesh vs Pakistan | Colombo |
| 3 Oct (Fri) | England vs South Africa | Bengaluru |
| 4 Oct (Sat) | Australia vs Sri Lanka | Colombo |
| 5 Oct (Sun) | India vs Pakistan | Colombo |
| 6 Oct (Mon) | New Zealand vs South Africa | Indore |
| 7 Oct (Tue) | England vs Bangladesh | Guwahati |
| 8 Oct (Wed) | Australia vs Pakistan | Colombo |
| 9 Oct (Thu) | India vs South Africa | Visakhapatnam |
| 10 Oct (Fri) | New Zealand vs Bangladesh | Visakhapatnam |
| 11 Oct (Sat) | England vs Sri Lanka | Guwahati |
| 12 Oct (Sun) | India vs Australia | Visakhapatnam |
| 13 Oct (Mon) | South Africa vs Bangladesh | Visakhapatnam |
| 14 Oct (Tue) | New Zealand vs Sri Lanka | Colombo |
| 15 Oct (Wed) | England vs Pakistan | Colombo |
| 16 Oct (Thu) | Australia vs Bangladesh | Visakhapatnam |
| 17 Oct (Fri) | South Africa vs Sri Lanka | Colombo |
| 18 Oct (Sat) | New Zealand vs Pakistan | Colombo |
| 19 Oct (Sun) | India vs England | Indore |
| 20 Oct (Mon) | Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh | Colombo |
| 21 Oct (Tue) | South Africa vs Pakistan | Colombo |
| 22 Oct (Wed) | Australia vs England | Indore |
| 23 Oct (Thu) | India vs New Zealand | Guwahati |
| 24 Oct (Fri) | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Colombo |
| 25 Oct (Sat) | Australia vs South Africa | Indore |
| 26 Oct (Sun) | England vs New Zealand | Guwahati |
| 26 Oct (Sun) | India vs Bangladesh | Bengaluru |
| 29 Oct (Wed) | Semi-final 1 | Guwahati/Colombo |
| 30 Oct (Thu) | Semi-final 2 | Bengaluru |
| 2 Nov (Sun) | Final | Colombo/Bengaluru |
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FAQs
When does the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup start?
The tournament begins on September 30, 2025, with India facing Sri Lanka in Bengaluru.
When is the India vs Pakistan match scheduled?
The high-profile India vs Pakistan clash is set for October 5 in Colombo.
Where will Pakistan play their World Cup matches?
Pakistan will play all of their league matches at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
How many teams are participating in the tournament?
Eight teams are competing in a round-robin format, followed by semifinals and a final.
Where is the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup final being held?
The final will be played on November 2 in either Bengaluru or Colombo.
