Women’s cricket is soaring to new heights in 2025, with T20 leagues captivating global audiences and Test matches making a historic comeback. From India’s dominant performance in the England vs. India Women’s T20 series to the anticipation for the first women’s Test at Lord’s in 2026, the sport is breaking barriers. With stars like Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, and emerging talents like Shafali Verma shining, women’s cricket is redefining the game. In this article, we explore the rise of T20, the resurgence of Test cricket, key moments of 2025, and what lies ahead. Let’s celebrate the unstoppable momentum of women’s cricket!

The T20 Boom: Women’s Leagues Take Center Stage

T20 cricket has become the heartbeat of women’s cricket, with leagues like the Women’s Premier League (WPL), The Hundred, and Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) drawing record crowds and viewership. The WPL 2025, held in March, saw Royal Challengers Bangalore clinch the title, led by Smriti Mandhana’s 78 off 49 in the final against Mumbai Indians. The league’s viewership spiked by 35% compared to 2024, with 10 million+ streaming on JioCinema. On X, fans trended #WPL2025, praising Mandhana’s leadership and Shafali Verma’s explosive 65 off 32.

Globally, The Hundred’s women’s competition matched men’s viewership, with Sophie Ecclestone’s 4/18 for Manchester Originals going viral. The WBBL 2025 showcased Ellyse Perry’s all-round brilliance, scoring 350 runs and taking 12 wickets for Sydney Sixers. These leagues are not just entertaining but also empowering, with players like Harmanpreet Kaur (28 million Instagram followers) inspiring young girls worldwide.

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Test Cricket’s Resurgence: A Historic Milestone

While T20 dominates, 2025 has marked a revival of women’s Test cricket, a format often overshadowed by shorter games. India’s women’s team played a thrilling one-off Test against South Africa in June 2025, winning by 8 wickets, with Deepti Sharma’s 5/45 and Jemimah Rodrigues’ 112 stealing the show. The match, part of the ICC Women’s Championship, highlighted the format’s enduring appeal, drawing 8,000 fans to Chennai.

The biggest buzz surrounds the historic women’s Test at Lord’s, scheduled for June 2026 between England and India. Announced in 2025, it will be the first women’s Test at the “Home of Cricket” since 1999. England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt, with 15 million Instagram followers, called it “a dream come true,” while India’s Harmanpreet Kaur said, “Lord’s will see what women’s cricket is made of.” The announcement trended on X with #WomensTest, with fans sharing archival clips of past England-India clashes.

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Key Moments in Women’s Cricket 2025

1. India’s T20 Series Win Over England: India’s women’s team clinched a 3-2 T20I series win in England in July 2025. Richa Ghosh’s match-winning 44* off 22 in the decider at Lord’s earned her Player of the Series. Her diving catch to dismiss Heather Knight went viral, with 2 million views on X.
2. ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers: The Africa Division qualifiers in April 2025 saw Rwanda upset Zimbabwe, with Henriette Ishimwe’s 3/12 earning praise. The qualifiers, streamed on ICC.tv, boosted women’s cricket in emerging nations.
3. Beth Mooney’s Record-Breaking WBBL Season: Australia’s Beth Mooney smashed 450 runs in WBBL 2025, breaking the record for most runs in a season. Her 92 off 47 against Perth Scorchers was a highlight, trending on X with #WBBL2025.
4. Alyssa Healy’s Leadership in Ashes 2025: Healy’s 88 off 54 in the T20 leg of the Women’s Ashes helped Australia retain the urn, with 10,000 fans packing Sydney Cricket Ground.

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Emerging Stars to Watch

• Shafali Verma (India): The 21-year-old’s aggressive batting in WPL and T20Is (200 runs in England series) makes her a fan favorite, with 5 million Instagram followers.
• Annabel Sutherland (Australia): Her all-round prowess (250 runs, 10 wickets in WBBL) marks her as a future star.
• Henriette Ishimwe (Rwanda): Her performances in the T20 World Cup qualifiers signal Africa’s rising talent pool.
• Phoebe Litchfield (England): Her elegant 71 in the Ashes T20 cemented her as a key prospect.

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Why Women’s Cricket is Thriving

• Increased Investment: BCCI’s equal pay policy for women cricketers and ECB’s £8 million investment in women’s domestic cricket have boosted infrastructure.
• Global Reach: Streaming platforms like Disney+ Hotstar and FanCode reported a 40% rise in women’s cricket viewership in 2025.
• Fan Engagement: Social media campaigns, like #ShePlaysWeWin on X, have connected players with fans, with Smriti Mandhana’s posts garnering 1 million likes.
• Inclusivity: Initiatives like ICC’s 100% Cricket program have promoted women’s cricket in nations like Cameroon and Mozambique.

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What’s Next for Women’s Cricket?

The Lord’s Test in 2026 is a landmark, but 2025 sets the stage with the Women’s T20 World Cup in August, hosted by England. India, Australia, and England are favorites, with dark horses like South Africa and New Zealand gaining traction. The WPL 2026 auction, expected to feature international stars like Sophie Devine, will further elevate the league. As ICC Chair Mithali Raj stated, “Women’s cricket is no longer a side story—it’s the main event.”

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How to Follow Women’s Cricket in 2025

• Live Streaming: Disney+ Hotstar, ESPNcricinfo, Sky Sports, ICC.tv
• Social Media: Follow @BCCIWomen, @ECB_cricket, and @ICC on X for updates
• Highlights: YouTube channels of WPL, WBBL, and The Hundred

Conclusion

Women’s cricket in 2025 is a story of triumph, from the T20 boom in WPL and WBBL to the historic resurgence of Test cricket. With stars like Smriti Mandhana and emerging talents like Shafali Verma, the sport is inspiring millions. As we look to the Lord’s Test and T20 World Cup, women’s cricket is rewriting the game’s future. Share your favorite moments in the comments and stay tuned for more women’s cricket updates on our blog!

SEO Meta Description: Discover the rise of women’s cricket in 2025, from WPL’s T20 dominance to the historic Lord’s Test in 2026. Get highlights, star players, and what’s next for the sport!

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