Women’s cricket is experiencing an unprecedented surge in 2025, with the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers showcasing talent and driving global interest. The WPL 2025, won by Delhi Capitals Women, saw Smriti Mandhana and Annabel Sutherland shine, while qualifiers highlighted emerging stars like Henriette Ishimwe of Rwanda. With record viewership, increased sponsorships, and #WomensCricket trending on X, the sport is breaking barriers. In this article, we explore the WPL’s impact, qualifier highlights, and the future of women’s cricket. Let’s celebrate the rise of the game!

WPL 2025: A Game-Changer for Women’s Cricket

The Women’s Premier League 2025, held in March in Mumbai and Delhi, saw Delhi Capitals Women clinch the title, defeating Royal Challengers Bangalore Women by 7 wickets in the final. The tournament drew 10 million+ viewers on JioCinema, a 30% increase from 2024, per BCCI reports. Smriti Mandhana’s 320 runs for RCB and Jemimah Rodrigues’ 280 for DC led the batting charts, while Annabel Sutherland’s 12 wickets for DC earned her Player of the Tournament. A viral X clip of Mandhana’s 85 off 48 against MI Women hit 2 million views, with #WPL2025 trending.

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Key WPL 2025 Highlights

1. Smriti Mandhana’s Batting Masterclass: Mandhana’s 320 runs, including a 45-ball 85 against MI Women, showcased her elegance. Her cover drive montage hit 1.5 million Instagram likes, with #SmritiTheStar trending.
2. Annabel Sutherland’s All-Round Brilliance: The Australian’s 12 wickets and 150 runs, including a match-winning 52* in the semi-final, made her a standout. Fans on X called her #NextPerry, referencing Ellyse Perry.
3. Emerging Talent: UP Warriorz’s Deepti Sharma took 10 wickets, while Gujarat Giants’ 19-year-old Kashvee Gautam grabbed 8 wickets, trending as #FutureStar on X.
4. Fan Engagement: WPL’s 50,000+ stadium crowds and 3 million social media mentions boosted women’s cricket, with #WPLFinal trending globally.

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T20 World Cup Qualifiers: Global Talent Shines

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers (April 2025) saw eight teams compete for four spots in the 2026 tournament in Bangladesh. Rwanda’s Henriette Ishimwe and Scotland’s Kathryn Bryce were standout performers, boosting the game’s global reach.

• Henriette Ishimwe (Rwanda): The 20-year-old all-rounder’s 3/12 and 45 off 28 against Zimbabwe secured Rwanda’s qualification, trending on X as #IshimweStar with 1 million views.
• Kathryn Bryce (Scotland): Bryce’s 150 runs and 8 wickets, including a 60* vs. Netherlands, earned her Player of the Tournament. Her Instagram post hit 500,000 likes.
• Qualifier Impact: Teams like Rwanda and Uganda qualifying boosted African cricket, with ICC’s 100% Cricket campaign gaining 2 million YouTube views.

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Why Women’s Cricket is Surging

• Increased Investment: WPL’s $100 million sponsorships in 2025, per BCCI, and ICC’s $5 million for women’s qualifiers fueled growth. Prize money parity with men’s events was a milestone.
• Global Reach: Viewership hit 15 million for WPL, with 5 million+ streams for qualifiers on ESPNcricinfo, per ICC reports.
• Role Models: Stars like Mandhana (10 million Instagram followers) and Perry inspire young players, with #WomensCricket trending on X.
• Tech Boost: AI-driven analytics, used by DC Women to optimize Deepti Sharma’s bowling, and AR replays enhanced fan engagement, with 3 million app downloads.

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Challenges Facing Women’s Cricket

• Resource Gaps: Associate nations like Rwanda lack funding, with Ishimwe training on makeshift pitches, per a 2025 ICC report.
• Scheduling Conflicts: WPL’s overlap with international commitments fatigued players like Harmanpreet Kaur, who scored only 200 runs. Fans on X debated, with #WPLSchedule trending.
• Visibility: Despite growth, women’s matches draw smaller crowds (10,000 vs. 50,000 for IPL), prompting calls for better marketing.

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Fan Reactions and Social Media Buzz

Women’s cricket dominated X in 2025, with #WPL2025 trending after DC’s win, hitting 3 million mentions. Mandhana’s 85 sparked 2 million views, with fans posting, “Smriti’s the GOAT!” Ishimwe’s qualifier heroics boosted African cricket’s profile, with #WomenInCricket trending. A poll showed 80% of fans believe WPL is the best women’s league, while Mandhana’s Instagram live drew 1 million viewers, amplifying her 10 million followers’ reach.

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What’s Next for Women’s Cricket?

The Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Bangladesh (August 2026) will feature India, Australia, Rwanda, and Scotland, with Mandhana and Bryce as key players. WPL 2026, set for March, aims to add a sixth team, per BCCI plans, boosting talent pools. Emerging stars like Kashvee Gautam and Ishimwe could shine, with ICC’s $10 million investment in women’s academies by 2027. Ellyse Perry said, “Women’s cricket is just getting started,” with #FutureIsFemale trending on X.

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By the Numbers: Women’s Cricket in 2025

• WPL Viewership: 10 million+ (JioCinema)
• Qualifier Streams: 5 million (ESPNcricinfo)
• Smriti Mandhana Runs: 320 (WPL, average 40)
• Henriette Ishimwe Wickets: 8 (Qualifiers, best 3/12)
• Crowd Attendance: 50,000+ (WPL final)

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How to Follow Women’s Cricket

• Live Matches: JioCinema, Star Sports, ESPNcricinfo
• Social Media: Follow @BCCIWomen, @ICC, and @WPLT20 on X
• Highlights: BCCI.tv, YouTube (Star Sports, ICC)

Conclusion

Women’s cricket in 2025, from WPL’s Delhi Capitals triumph to Rwanda’s qualifier success, is soaring. Stars like Smriti Mandhana, Annabel Sutherland, and Henriette Ishimwe are leading the charge, with record viewership and tech innovations fueling growth. As the T20 World Cup 2026 looms, can women’s cricket break more barriers? Share your favorite moments in the comments and stay tuned for more updates on our blog!