The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025, India’s premier women’s franchise cricket tournament, is set to commence on February 14, 2025. One of the tournament’s biggest stars, Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Harmanpreet Kaur, is all set to participate and will aim to replicate the 2023 success, when MI lifted the trophy in the inaugural edition.
Apart from striving for franchise glory, Harmanpreet believes that WPL 2025 will play a crucial role in India’s preparations for the ODI World Cup later this year. She sees this tournament as an opportunity for players to fine-tune their skills, improve match fitness, and gain competitive exposure before the marquee global event.
Harmanpreet Kaur on WPL’s Impact on ODI World Cup
At a press conference in Mumbai, Harmanpreet Kaur underlined the importance of the WPL in shaping India’s World Cup campaign. She highlighted that the tournament would allow players to develop their game and raise their fitness levels ahead of a crucial international season.
She stated, “I think this WPL is going to play a very big role because this year we have the ODI World Cup. After the WPL, we have a very good window where we can work on our fitness and raise our fitness level.”
The WPL 2025 will take place from February 14 to March 15, after which Indian players will have over three months to train, recover, and strategize before their next international assignment in England. This structured schedule provides the squad with an ideal balance of competitive cricket and preparation time before the major tournament.
WPL 2025 Format and India’s Roadmap
The upcoming five-team WPL will be staged in four cities across India, featuring:
- 20 league matches
- Two knockout games (Eliminator & Final)
Once the tournament concludes, the Indian women’s team will have a significant break to focus on fitness, skill enhancement, and recovery. Their next international assignment will be a bilateral series in England, which includes T20Is and ODIs.
Post the England tour, India will host three home ODIs against reigning World Champions Australia in September, which will serve as a final test before the ODI World Cup in October. This well-structured schedule ensures Indian players have ample time to regroup, refine their strategies, and peak at the right moment for the prestigious event.
Mumbai Indians’ Strategy: Insights from Coach Charlotte Edwards
Mumbai Indians’ head coach Charlotte Edwards shared her thoughts on the team’s approach for WPL 2025, emphasizing:
- Clarity in roles for every player
- Aggressive and fearless cricket
- Creating a positive team environment
Speaking about MI’s philosophy, Edwards remarked, “Every player that comes into MI hopefully knows what’s expected of them. But equally important is that aggressive approach, which is what we want.”
She also addressed Pooja Vastrakar’s recovery from injury, stating that the team management is focused on ensuring players are fully prepared and supported.
Further elaborating on the team culture, Edwards attached, “That’s what makes me and Jhulan (Goswami) very happy—when they’ve got smiles on their faces and they can impact games.” Her emphasis on enjoying the game while delivering match-winning performances highlights MI’s approach to building a strong, confident, and competitive squad.
With the WPL 2025 offering a high-intensity platform for Indian players, the tournament will be crucial in shaping India’s World Cup aspirations. Players will get valuable match practice, test their fitness levels, and build momentum heading into the ODI World Cup.
For teams like Mumbai Indians, defending their title while maintaining an aggressive and fearless playing style will be their top priority. With Harmanpreet Kaur leading MI and a well-planned international schedule ahead, India’s women’s cricket team has a golden opportunity to prepare for one of the most significant tournaments in their history.
Disclaimer:
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