The countdown to the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 (September 30th – November 2nd) has begun, and India arrives with a squad that blends experienced campaigners and exciting debutants. Over the years, World Cups have proved to be a stage where careers transform, and new stars are born. This year, India looks to its next generation of talent, banking on a group of players who will feature in the global extravaganza for the very first time.
From explosive openers to impactful all-rounders and emerging bowling sensations, these debutants carry both promise and pressure. Here’s a closer look at the fresh names who could shine for India in the upcoming edition of women’s cricket’s biggest stage, the ODI World Cup at home.
Pratika Rawal: The New Run-machine at the Top
In just under a year since her international debut against the West Indies in December 2024, Pratika Rawal has scripted one of the most sensational starts to an ODI career. At 24, she already boasts an impressive 703 runs in 14 innings with a commanding average of 54.07 and a strike rate of 87.43.
Her fearless stroke play was on full display against Ireland in Rajkot earlier this year, where she hammered 154 off 129 deliveries, carving out 20 boundaries and a towering six. With five half-centuries and a century already, she also holds the record as the fastest woman to 500 ODI runs (8 innings), eclipsing England legend Charlotte Edwards.
Named Player of the Series in India’s home series against Ireland series at home, earlier this year, Rawal has leapt ahead of Shafali Verma in the pecking order, joining forces with senior opener Smriti Mandhana. Expect her to set the tempo at the top of India’s line-up when the big stage beckons.
Jemimah Rodrigues: The Backbone of the Middle order
Though a seasoned international since 2018, Jemimah Rodrigues is yet to feature in an ODI World Cup, making this edition her much-anticipated debut. The 24-year-old has been India’s middle-order stalwart, having scored 1,439 runs across 48 innings at a strike rate of 88.17 and an average of 32.70.
Earlier this year, she underlined her game-changing ability by smashing 123 (101) against South Africa in Colombo. Her knack for steering tricky chases makes her invaluable, but what adds intrigue to her World Cup debut is her growing role as a part-time bowler. She stunned Bangladesh in 2023 with a dream spell of 3.1-0-3-4, alongside a match-turning knock of 86.
Rodrigues brings stability, adaptability, and all-round value, a combination India will lean on heavily.
Harleen Deol: The Stylish Stroke-Maker
At 27, Harleen Deol finally gets her moment on the World Cup stage. Since making her ODI debut in 2019, she has been a figure of elegance in the top order. With 806 runs in 26 innings at an average of 33.58 and a strike rate of 77.12, she has shown consistency, but her defining knock came in December 2024 against West Indies, 115 off 103 balls, studded with 16 boundaries.
While her occasional spells with the ball (2 wickets in 6 innings) add depth, it is her classy stroke-play against pace and spin alike that makes her important. Slotting in as a top-order pillar, Deol’s ability to build long innings may be India’s insurance in high-pressure encounters.
Amanjot Kaur: The Steady All-round Option
Primarily considered a batting all-rounder, Amanjot Kaur has been carving an identity as a reliable seam-bowling option. In her 9 ODI appearances since debuting in 2023, she has 13 wickets at an average of 28.23, including an eye-catching 4/31 against Bangladesh on debut.
Even though her batting returns, 98 runs at an average of 14, are still a work in progress, her recent performances against England in the lead-up to the World Cup have given India more reasons to bank on her. The team management views Amanjot as a balance-providing cricketer, capable of tightening the middle overs with the ball and contributing handy runs lower down the order.
Arundhati Reddy: The Pace Workhorse
Known more for her T20 exploits, Arundhati Reddy transitioned into ODIs in 2024, bringing with her a wealth of bowling resilience. In 9 ODI innings, she has already bagged 11 wickets at an average of 32.54. Her career-best spell came against Australia in Perth (4/26 in December 2024), where her ability to hit the deck hard made headlines.
Though her runs tally is modest (44 runs at 11.00), Reddy’s key role in the World Cup will be with the ball, especially in supporting India’s lead pacers in the middle overs. Alongside Amanjot, she forms a crucial seam-bowling partnership, offering both control and breakthroughs.
Radha Yadav: The Left-arm Spin Enforcer and a Gem in the Field
After steadily growing as a T20 regular, Radha Yadav’s ODI numbers have started to take shape. The 25-year-old spinner has 8 wickets in 8 innings so far, with her standout moment coming against New Zealand in October 2024 (4/69 at Ahmedabad).
Beloved for her fighting spirit, Radha chips in with the bat too, 59 runs in just 4 innings at a handy average of 19.66. Expected to operate as the second spinner alongside Deepti Sharma, her role in breaking partnerships and applying chokeholds in the middle overs, adding to that her agility in the field, could make her an invaluable World Cup asset.
N Shree Charani: The Young Spin Prodigy
India’s constant conveyor belt of spin keeps introducing fresh names, and in 21-year-old N Shree Charani, there is genuine promise. Since debuting in April 2025 against Sri Lanka, Charani has 9 wickets in 8 outings with a controlled left-arm orthodox style.
While her current economy is on the higher side (5.56), she impressed against England recently, showing maturity beyond her age. Likely to be drafted as a supporting bowler in spin-heavy conditions, Charani adds depth to India’s bowling stocks, while also being a long-term investment.
Kranti Goud: The Fiery Young Pacer
Arguably the most exciting new-ball option on the block, Kranti Goud has burst onto the scene in style. The 22-year-old announced herself with an unforgettable spell against England at Chester-le-Street in July 2025, returning mesmerising figures of 6/52, becoming the youngest Indian to pick a five-for in England.
In her 4 outings so far, she has already taken 9 wickets at just 17.55 apiece, operating with raw pace and aggression. India has often been criticised for lacking penetration in pace-friendly conditions, and Goud’s emergence could well address that gap, making her one of the most closely watched debutants in the tournament.
The ODI World Cup has historically been the arena where India’s young talent stuns the world, Jhulan Goswami in 2005, Harmanpreet Kaur in 2017, and Richa Ghosh in 2022. In 2025, the baton will pass to a new generation. From Pratika Rawal’s blistering batting to Kranti Goud’s pace promise, this batch of debutants carries the responsibility of shaping India’s campaign and perhaps the future of Indian women’s cricket itself on the grand stage.
