Women's ODI World Cup 2025: Bowlers to watch out for
What's the story
The ICC Women's World Cup 2025 is just around the corner, with the opening match set for September 30. The tournament will begin with a match between hosts India and Sri Lanka in Guwahati, India. While the strong Australian unit will head into the event as defending champions, India are also among the favorites. Here are the key bowlers who could make a big difference in their teams' fortunes at this tournament.
#1
Sneh Rana - India
Indian off-spinner Sneh Rana has emerged as a formidable force in WODIs. With 21 wickets at 22.09, she is India's leading wicket-taker in the format this year. As the tracks in India and Sri Lanka are known to be slow in nature, Rana's middle-over spells can change the course of the game. It must be noted that the 31-year-old can also deliver with the bat.
#2
Nashra Sandhu - Pakistan
Pakistan's Nashra Sandhu made history last week by becoming the first left-arm Asian spinner to take a six-wicket haul in a Women's ODI. She achieved this feat against a strong South African line-up at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. In fact, Sandhu has been effective throughout 2025. She has tallied 16 WODI wickets in the ongoing year at a brilliant average of 18.31. Her economy of 4.01 is also sensational.
#3
Nonkululeko Mlaba - South Africa
South Africa will count on their in-form left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba to fire in the competition. The 25-year-old has given batters a tough time in 2025, scalping 15 wickets in just eight matches at 23.20. Her economy has been under five. It must be noted that Mlaba had a great Women's T20 World Cup campaign last year. Having scalped 12 wickets at 11.33, she finished as the second-highest wicket-taker of the competition.
#4
Sophie Ecclestone - England
England's left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone is the top-ranked women's ODI bowler in the world. She has an impressive average of less than 20 for her 125 wickets in the format. Even though she missed the West Indies series due to injury, she returned to domestic cricket and regained her form with Lancashire. The spinner has taken 12 wickets across six WODIs in 2025 at a sensational economy of 4.25.