Sneh Rana aims for ICC Women’s ODI World Cup triumph as India prepare for 2025 showdown

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India‘s spin-bowling all-rounder Sneh Rana has emerged as a beacon of hope as the country gears up for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025. With India set to begin their campaign against Sri Lanka in Guwahati on September 30, Rana believes this tournament represents a golden opportunity for the Women in Blue to claim their elusive first World Cup title.

Ahead of the tournament opener, Rana told JioHotstar that playing in the World Cup is the dream of every cricketer and that the Indian women’s team is determined to win the trophy this year.

She said, “Representing your country in the World Cup is a special honor. Playing at home adds excitement and pressure. It is even more meaningful for Harman didi (Harmanpreet Kaur), who has devoted many years to the game. Our goal is to fill the trophy cabinet with a World Cup victory.”

The 31-year-old off-spinner has staged an impressive comeback to international cricket after a significant gap since 2023. Her recent performances have been exceptional, claiming 21 wickets in just 11 matches this year at an outstanding average of 22.09. This remarkable bowling display includes a memorable five-wicket haul that showcased her ability to deliver when it matters most.

Rana’s journey back to the national team has been marked by resilience and determination. After battling injuries that saw her drift away from international cricket for five years following a knee injury in 2016, she forced her way back through consistent domestic performances. Her dramatic return was highlighted by an unbeaten 80 against England at Bristol in 2021.

The all-rounder’s statistics in 2025 have been particularly impressive, with 18 wickets in 8 ODI innings at an average of 17.22. Her ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes her a crucial component of India’s World Cup squad.

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Rana has praised the Women’s Premier League (WPL) as a transformative force in Indian women’s cricket. Having represented both Gujarat Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru across 17 WPL matches, she has witnessed how the tournament elevated the game’s standard.

The WPL has provided Indian players with unprecedented opportunities to compete alongside international stars and learn from world-class coaches. This exposure has been instrumental in developing tactical awareness among Indian cricketers. The financial security offered by the WPL has allowed players to invest more seriously in their training.

“It gives us the stage to play alongside and against top-class players from around the world. You also get to learn from elite foreign coaches, their strategies, how they think, and how they react in key moments. Even sitting and observing them is a great learning experience,” she added.

India’s quest for World Cup glory will be anchored by a squad led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur and featuring talents like Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, and Deepti Sharma. The team enters with renewed hope after two heartbreaking final defeats in 2005 and 2017.

With players like Rana bringing experience and unwavering determination, India enters the 2025 World Cup with the perfect combination of home advantage, improved infrastructure through the WPL, and a well-balanced squad to finally bring the World Cup home.

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.