The International Cricket Council (ICC) has declared the 2025 Women's Cricket World Cup a "social, cultural movement," recognizing its profound impact beyond the realm of sports. The tournament, which culminated in India's historic victory over South Africa, is seen as a watershed moment for women's cricket and a catalyst for broader societal change.
ICC Chief Executive Officer Sanjog Gupta, speaking at the '50 Days to Go' event in Mumbai, emphasized the larger significance of the World Cup for the country. He stated that the growth of women's cricket mirrors the nation's progress, highlighting its potential to inspire girls, encourage community support, and normalize women's presence in traditionally male-dominated spaces. Gupta positioned the World Cup as more than just a sporting event, but rather a cultural phenomenon capable of building trans-generational legacies and fostering new cultures.
The 2025 World Cup witnessed record-breaking attendance, with nearly 300,000 fans filling the stadiums. This unprecedented level of support shattered previous records for women's cricket events, demonstrating the growing popularity and mainstream appeal of the sport. The final match between India and South Africa drew massive viewership, with 185 million users tuning in on JioHotstar, matching the figures for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 Final. An additional 92 million viewers watched on Connected TV (CTV), equaling the CTV viewership of the Men's Cricket World Cup Final from 2023.
India's triumph in the World Cup is expected to have a transformative impact on the commercial landscape of women's sports. Experts predict a surge in brand endorsements, grassroots growth, and long-term investment in women's cricket. The victory has showcased the marketability of women cricketers, proving that they can fill stadiums and generate significant digital engagement. This data-driven evidence is expected to encourage brands to invest confidently in women's cricket, recognizing the performance and personality of athletes like Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Jemimah Rodrigues.
The ICC is taking further steps to promote the growth of women's cricket globally. The next edition of the Women's ODI World Cup in 2029 will feature 10 teams, expanded from the existing eight-team format. Additionally, the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 will include 12 teams. The ICC has also approved a 10 percent increase in financial distribution to Associate Member nations for the year 2026, aiming to boost cricket development in emerging regions.
In recognition of their contributions to Indian cricket, former captain Mithali Raj and current head coach Amol Muzumdar have been appointed to the ICC Women's Cricket Committee. The committee is responsible for advising the ICC on all matters related to women's cricket, supporting its growth, development, and promotion worldwide.
The success of the 2025 Women's Cricket World Cup signifies a paradigm shift in the perception and promotion of women's sports. As ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta noted, this tournament has the potential to be a springboard for the next leap in the growth of women's cricket, inspiring a new generation of players and fans and leaving a lasting legacy for years to come. Former India all-rounder Roger Binny credited BCCI Secretary Jay Shah's vision for transforming women's cricket and the board's investment as pivotal milestones.
