Women’s cricket in India has seen a remarkable rise in popularity over the years, and a major factor behind this has been the performances of Team India on the world stage. The Women’s World Cup has been the ultimate test for every team. While India’s women cricketers are yet to lift the coveted trophy, their journey has been full of highs, lows, and unforgettable near misses. Right ahead of the upcoming Women's World Cup 2025, which is set to start from September 30, let’s take a closer look at how Team India has fared in the Women’s World Cups so far.
A Struggle to Find Footing (1978, 1982)
India’s women’s cricket team first appeared in the 1978 Women’s World Cup, which was actually hosted on Indian soil. However, the team struggled to make an impact in the initial editions due to lack of experience, exposure, and infrastructure. The early campaigns ended without notable success, but they marked the beginning of India’s long journey in world cricket.
India's performance in the 1982 World Cup saw another group stage exit, though there was a small silver lining: four group stage victories. It is worth noting, however, that three of those wins came against an International XI, while the final one was against the eventual tournament runners-up, England.
1993: Tops-Turvy Campaign
After missing the 1988 edition, India returned to the World Cup in 1993 with a highly inconsistent campaign. The Women in Blue began promisingly with a victory over the West Indies. However, they consistently faltered when facing the stronger, top-tier sides. Their subsequent victories were confined to inexperienced teams like the Netherlands, Ireland, and Denmark. Ultimately, despite these wins, India once again failed to advance past the group stage.
1997: First Knockouts Appearance
The 1997 Women's World Cup, hosted in India, marked a significant milestone for the team. The Women in Blue delivered, going unbeaten in the group stage with two wins, one tie, and one no result, thereby securing their first-ever spot in the knockouts. They then defeated South Africa in the quarter-final, setting up a semi-final clash against Australia. The hosts performed admirably with the ball, restricting Australia to 123/7 in a 32-over match. Unfortunately, the batting unit failed to perform, resulting in a 19-run defeat and crashing out of the tournament.
2000: Another Semi-Final Heartbreak
India built on the momentum from their 1997 performance to deliver another excellent campaign in the 2000 World Cup. They managed to secure five victories in the group stage, earning them a spot in the semi-finals for the second time in a row. However, the semi-final hurdle proved too high once more, this time against New Zealand. The White Ferns easily chased down a target after bundling India out for a mere 117 runs, crushing India's hopes of reaching the final.
2005: First Final Appearance
The 2005 edition marked a breakthrough as the Indian women's team exacted revenge for their previous semi-final loss. They were once again matched against New Zealand, but this time, India delivered a comprehensive performance to defeat the White Ferns and enter their first-ever World Cup final. It was a historic moment, though the jubilation was short-lived. They were thoroughly outperformed by Australia in the final match, preventing them from lifting the trophy.
2009: Super Six Standstill
In the 2009 World Cup, India successfully navigated the group stage with two wins out of three games, qualifying for the Super Six round. They carried two points into this stage from their group victory over Pakistan. India continued their good form by subsequently overcoming both Australia and the West Indies in the Super Six stage. However, a crucial loss against New Zealand meant they just missed out on qualifying for the final. The team concluded the tournament on a positive note, though, securing a victory against Australia in the third-place playoff match.
2013: A Disappointing Home Campaign
The 2013 World Cup proved to be a major disappointment for the Indian team on home soil. Although they began the tournament reasonably well, they quickly lost momentum. Managing only a single win out of their three group stage matches, India suffered a premature exit from their home World Cup. They ultimately finished in a dismal seventh position in the eight-team event.
2017: Harmanpreet's Heroics and Final Heartbreak
India staged a major comeback in the 2017 edition, determined to erase the memory of their 2013 performance. They started strongly with four consecutive wins, though this was followed by two significant losses. A vital win in their final group match secured their spot in the semi-finals against tournament favorites, Australia. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur delivered one of the most brilliant batting displays in World Cup history, with her unbeaten 171, which single-handedly powered India past Australia and into their second-ever World Cup final. India looked poised to win the trophy in the final against England, but Anya Shrubsole delivered a stunning bowling spell, pulling the game back for England and narrowly denying India the championship title.
2022: Narrowly Missing the Knockouts
The 2022 World Cup saw a mixed outcome for the Women in Blue. They secured three victories out of their seven group stage games. While the wins were often impressive, the team's inability to defend good totals in two crucial matches significantly dented their semi-final hopes. This inconsistency ultimately cost them, and India returned home after the group stage, missing out on a spot in the knockouts.
India’s record in Women’s World Cups is a story of steady progress, inspiring performances, and near misses that continue to fuel the hunger for glory.