Women's World Cup: Decoding Team India's stats in the tournament
What's the story
The 2025 ICC Women's World Cup will begin on September 30, with India and Sri Lanka co-hosting the tournament. This is the first time Sri Lanka are hosting, while India have hosted the event three times before. Under Harmanpreet Kaur's leadership, the Indian team is eyeing its maiden title. Here we look at India's run in WODI World Cups over the years.
DYK
Fourth most wins in the tourney
Across 12 editions from 1978 to 2022, India have played a total of 70 matches in the World Cup, as per ESPNcricinfo. The team's win percentage stands at an impressive 52.85%, having won 37 matches while losing 31 times. This includes a tied and a washed-out game. Only Australia (79), England (62), and New Zealand (54) own more triumphs in the competition.
Achievements
India are two-time runners-up
Though India are yet to taste the glory, they have finished as the runner-up twice in the Women's World Cup - first in 2005 and then again in 2017. The team lost to Australia and England respectively, on the two occasions. The 1997 and 2000 events saw the Women in Blue crash out in the semi-finals. They attained the third-place finish in the 2009 edition, which did not have the semi-final stage.
Key performers
Who is India's highest run-getter?
Former captain Mithali Raj is India's highest run-scorer in World Cup history, scoring a total of 1,321 runs at an average of 47.17 across 36 innings. Current captain Harmanpreet Kaur is the only other Indian with 650-plus runs in WCs (876 at 51.52). Kaur (3), Raj (2), and Smriti Mandhana (2) happen to be the only Indians with multiple WC tons. Kaur's 171* vs Australia in 2017 is the joint-fourth-highest individual score in WCs.
Bowling prowess
Most wickets for India
Former Indian pace ace Jhulan Goswami holds the record for most wickets in Women's World Cup history. She claimed a total of 43 wickets at an average of 21.74 over 34 innings. Diana Edulji (31 at 14.51), Purnima Rau (30 at 12.83), and Neetu David (30 at 15.10) are the other Indians with at least 30 wickets in the competition. Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Ekta Bisht, Purnima Choudhary, and David are the Indians with fifers in the competition.
Record matches
Biggest wins and defeats
India's biggest WC win margin in terms of runs came against New Zealand in the 2017 edition, where they won by a whopping 186 runs. The team's biggest defeat by runs came in the 1982 edition, when they lost by a massive 153 runs against Australia. In terms of wickets, India's biggest loss was a 10-wicket defeat to England in 1982. The team also owns a solitary 10-wicket win in the competition, against Pakistan in 2009.
Scores
Highest and lowest scores
India own a solitary 300-plus score in the tourney, having scored 317/8 against West Indies in the 2022 affair in Hamilton. They have also been bowled out twice under 50, both against hosts New Zealand in 1982 (37 & 49). India have never successfully accomplished a target of 200 or more in the competition.