In 2025, the Women's 50-over game took centre stage at the World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Higher totals, epic chases and a new level of batting consistency marked a defining moment for Women's ODI cricket - a format long viewed as being in transition, now fully arrived. At the heart of this transformation was India, whose historic World Cup triumph capped a year that redefined the 50-over game.

A landmark year for Women's ODI cricket

Across the calendar year, Women's ODIs saw unprecedented scoring rates, big chases, and a shift in tactical thinking, redefining what teams now consider par scores and safe totals. More than 90 ODIs were played globally between 16 teams, the most in a single year. But the significance lay in how they were played. 2025 was the first year in which the scoring rate was greater than five runs per over, rising to 5.08 per six balls. The average runs per wicket stood at 28.85, again the highest in a year. First-innings totals regularly crossed 250. There were 25 300-plus totals, which is the most registered in a calendar year, well clear of 10 in 2024.

In 94 matches, there were 48 individual centuries, the most in a single year, 19 more than there were in 2024. The aggressive intent from batters fuelled a record 350 sixes across this calendar year, more than double the previous record set in 2022. India led the scoring rate with 6.25 runs per six balls, closely followed by Australia (6.11). South Africa's batters scored 13 centuries, followed by India with 11 centuries in 2025.

2025 94 39327 28.83 5.08 9.33 48/176 350 25
2024 71 27033 25.52 4.74 8.4 29/90 152 10
2023 50 18549 26.38 4.72 7.69 21/84 117 5
2022 77 30253 26.82 4.67 7.37 28/141 160 10
2021 48 18605 27.85 4.42 7.27 12/87 95 2

A key shift in 2025 was tactical: chasing became the new normal and a preferred option, guided by deeper batting and stronger power-hitting. Eight successful target chases over 250 were registered, including two historic chases over 300-plus in the World Cup, while defending totals under 280 grew increasingly unsafe. Captains took the risk, trusting their line-ups to handle pressure and surge late, resulting in a faster-paced format that retained its tactical depth.

India's dominance sets the tone

India' set the pace in women's cricket in 2025, consistently dictating terms rather than reacting. Their intent was underlined early with a record-breaking 435/5 against Ireland Women at Rajkot in January, which is the highest ODI total by India and among the top five in women's cricket history. India's batting depth, especially beyond the top order, kept constant pressure on teams, making 300-plus scores normal rather than ambitious and forcing opponents to change their tactics. India scored nine 300-plus totals in 2025, which is the most by any team in an ODI calendar year.

India's fighting spirit shone in the ODI series before the World Cup, nearly chasing 413 against the World champion Australia. Smriti Mandhana smashed the fastest Indian ODI century - male or female - in just 50 balls, and India recorded their first win over the serial champions since the 2017 World Cup semi-final.

India Women won 15 out of 23 ODIs this year, their win percentage of 68.2 was the second best after Australia's (84.61). India's average run per wicket was 43.09 - the best by any team in a calendar year where they played a minimum of 20 ODI matches. Indian also scored 41 50-plus scores this year - the most by a team this year, followed by South Africa (34). They hit 84 sixes this year - the second most by any team in a year after South Africa's 87 - also in this year. India's lower-order batters (Nos. 6-8) delivered match-changing innings, proving women's ODIs no longer rely solely on top-order heft.