Indian vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has delivered a candid and critical assessment of the team's historic maiden ODI Women's World Cup victory on home soil in 2025, rating the monumental achievement a seven out of ten. Mandhana emphasized that despite the euphoric win, which mirrored the men's team's 2011 feat, the Women in Blue have significant room for improvement as a unit.
A Historic Win, But With Clear Flaws
Speaking to BCCI.tv, the star opener acknowledged that the 2025 edition presented India's best chance to clinch the title, especially with the tournament being hosted in India. However, the campaign was far from smooth. After a promising start with two wins, the team suffered three consecutive losses against heavyweights Australia, England, and South Africa, jeopardizing their chances.
A remarkable turnaround saw Harmanpreet Kaur's side fight back to ultimately make history. Yet, with the retirements of legends like Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami, the burden of leadership fell squarely on Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet. This context, Mandhana suggested, makes the current squad a work in progress.
"We've had times when we could have won matches, but we couldn't this year," Mandhana stated. "And again, this team being this young, we are always a work in progress. There's going to be a World Cup, but it's a work in progress. If you keep thinking about the World Cup, the next one won't come."
Why Only a 7/10? Fielding and Over-reliance Exposed
Mandhana's less-than-perfect score stems from identifiable weaknesses that nearly derailed India's campaign during the group stages. The most glaring issue was poor fielding. Throughout the tournament, the Indian team dropped a staggering 18 catches, a statistic that could have proven fatal.
This flaw was starkly visible against Australia, where captain Alyssa Healy, dropped on 12, went on to score 142 in the group stage. Healy was given another life in the semifinal, a reprieve that could have been costly if not for a match-saving performance from Jemimah Rodrigues.
Beyond fielding, other concerns included:
- Over-reliance on the top order during the initial matches, particularly against lower-ranked sides like Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
- Noticeable struggles against left-arm spin bowling.
- Questions around the psychological clutch factor in high-pressure games.
Looking Ahead: The T20 World Cup and Beyond
Mandhana's cautious review serves as a reality check as the team shifts focus. Immediately after the ODI World Cup triumph, the team has shown improved form in the ongoing T20I series against Sri Lanka, winning the first four matches.
The next major challenge is the Women's T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in the United Kingdom around June next year. Mandhana's message is clear: the team cannot afford to rest on the laurels of the 2025 victory. Continuous development is crucial for sustained success on the global stage.
"If I had to review it more critically, I would give it 7 out of 10. We have many areas to improve as a team," the southpaw added, setting the tone for the journey ahead.
