The USA Cricket Women’s Conference T20 Championship 2025, from 30th June to 10th July 2025, delivered an enthralling showcase of emerging talent, fierce rivalries, and individual brilliance, confirming the rapid growth and depth of women’s cricket across the United States.
With 28 intense encounters across conferences, fans were treated to thrilling finishes, sparkling hundreds, and disciplined bowling, making this edition one for the ages. Let’s dive into the journeys of each team in the recently concluded edition of the tournament.
Midwest: Grit, Leadership and Sparkling Individual Performances
The Midwest team, marshalled by the inspiring Ritu Singh, started their campaign in style, defeating Northwest by 34 runs, thanks to Singh’s all-round heroics (40 off 25 and 2 wickets for 4 runs). That victory set the tone, as Midwest posted vital wins against Northwest, South Central (twice), and handed Southwest their only defeat in the group stages.
Key contributions came from Pooja Ganesh, whose 76 off 50 against South Central was a tournament highlight, and Sainavi Reddy Kambalapalli, who excelled in both disciplines (52 off 29 and 4-0-34-1) in their second win over South Central. Rithvika Karri’s all-round show (53* off 51, 4-0-33-0) ensured Midwest toppled title favourites South West in a pivotal group clash.
Despite some setbacks, most notably Laasya Mullapudi’s rampaging 103 that sealed a Northwest win, Midwest showed the balance and fighting spirit that kept them perennial contenders.
Northwest: Record Chasers and Unyielding Spirit
North West’s campaign was defined by their fighting approach and flashes of individual brilliance, none brighter than Laasya Mullapudi. Her staggering 103 off 60 balls against Midwest was arguably the tournament’s standout knock, guiding North West to a 6-wicket victory. She also anchored a successful chase with 84* off 55 balls against South Central.
Captain Jivana Aras led from the front but couldn’t always prevent losses, yet North West managed crucial wins, including a dominant victory over South Central late in the group stage. Anjana Marella’s miserly 3-0-9-3 nearly broke South West’s batting backbone, earning her Player of the Match.
North West’s journey underscored their reliance on key players and their potential, but they will rue missed opportunities against top-tier opposition.
Southwest: The Team to Beat, Consistency and All-round Power
Without question, Southwest established themselves as the championship’s form side, winning 7 of their 8 matches, powered by a blend of batting depth and bowling discipline. Isani Vaghela’s leadership was instrumental, but it was the likes of Chetna Reddy Pagydyala (a breathtaking 89 off 53 balls vs South Central), Gargi Bhogle (47 off 29 and 70* off 44 in key games), and the all-round prowess of Syeda Hania Zehra (3-0-21-3 and a steady 24 with the bat) that set South West apart.
Their bowlers consistently delivered: Anjana Marella’s 3-0-9-3 against Northwest, Simiksha Sivakumar’s 4-0-22-3, and Jessica Willathgamuwa’s tidy spell (3-0-4-2). Even in their sole defeat, Southwest fought valiantly, highlighting their championship pedigree.
South West’s campaign was a blueprint in teamwork, with different players stepping up at every stage.
South Central: Fighting Against the Odds
Led by Pooja Shah, South Central battled hard, notching memorable wins over Northwest and in their closing group fixture, when Mahika Kandanala’s superb 91* off 63 balls propelled them to a 48-run triumph. Pooja Shah herself was a dual threat, with a Player of the Match all-round show (32 off 25, 3-0-18-1) in their 28-run win over North West.
However, South Central’s campaign was riddled with inconsistencies, struggling to string together consecutive victories, and often coming up short in crunch moments against the stronger teams. Still, their wins were convincing and provided a solid foundation as they look to rebuild.
Northeast: Courage in Adversity
The Northeast side, led by Shebani Bhaskar, encountered a tough tournament, with victories proving hard to come by. Despite regular losses, the team had moments of promise. Bhaskar personally shone in the final game, her 67* (54) and solid bowling (4-0-32-1) earning Player of the Match, while Monisha Sagi’s exemplary spell (4-0-9-2) in a key fixture versus North Atlantic provided rare highlights.
The group’s standout feature was their resilience and flashes of young talent, which will serve them well in future competitions.
North Atlantic: Upsets and Individual Brilliance
Aditi Chudasama’s North Atlantic team alternated between spectacular highs and frustrating lows. Disha Dhingra was their undisputed star, with scores of 87 (52) and 72* (57) in dominant wins, also chipping in with the ball. Hashini Karthikeyan’s composed 40* and Monisha Sagi’s 4-0-9-2 (vs North East) headlined their support cast.
North Atlantic’s victories, especially the 107-run demolition of Northeast, showcased their flair, but inconsistency hampered their chances of challenging for top honours.
South Atlantic: The Taranum Chopra Show
South Atlantic, powered by the in-form Taranum Chopra, punched above their weight throughout the tournament. Chopra’s three Player of the Match awards, including a destructive 67* and 4-0-19-4 versus North Atlantic, were pivotal in their wins. Nidhi Chukka also impressed, striking an unbeaten 86 in a commanding performance against North East.
Despite narrow defeats, South Atlantic’s journey was marked by close contests and fighting spirit.
Southeast: The Emerging Powerhouse
Geetika Kodali’s Southeast were the tournament’s rising force, blending youth and experience en route to a series of wins. Saanvi Sood’s explosive 85, Aafia Khazi’s double strike (2-0-2-2; 18* with the bat), and Sasha Vallabhaneni’s 66* cemented South East’s all-round reputation. Jessica Willathgamuwa (3-0-4-2) and Aditi Chudasama (33* and 4-0-25-1) also starred in pivotal matches.
Southeast notched successive victories against Northeast, North Atlantic, and South Atlantic, confirming their status as a team to watch at the domestic level in US women’s cricket.
Key Takeaways and Rising Stars
The 2025 USA Cricket Women’s Conference T20 Championship was a spectacular advertisement for women’s cricket in the USA, blending high-octane batting (Laasya Mullapudi, Mahika Kandanala, Disha Dhingra), crafty bowling (Anjana Marella, Simiksha Sivakumar), and dynamic all-round displays (Ritu Singh, Pooja Shah, Taranum Chopra).
As the curtains fall, it’s clear the future of women’s cricket in America is bright, brimming with skill, leadership, and the hunger for excellence. The Conference Championship didn’t just crown the best team; it showcased the relentless evolution and excitement of the women’s game in the US.
