**ICC Women’s World Cup 2025: Decoding India’s Strongest XI**
*By Gaurav Tripathi | Sep 28, 2025, 01:58 PM*

Co-hosts India enter the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 as one of the frontrunners, with the tournament set to begin on September 30. For the first time in a Women’s World Cup, Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the team, supported by star opener Smriti Mandhana as her deputy. India’s squad is a well-balanced mix of seasoned players and emerging talents, making them a formidable side. Let’s decode India’s strongest XI for the competition.

### Top Order Batters: Mandhana, Rawal, Deol
India’s top order is anchored by Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, and Harleen Deol. Mandhana has been exceptional, scoring the most WODI runs since the 2022 World Cup in New Zealand, where India finished fifth. Pratika Rawal, still young, boasts an impressive 802 WODI runs at an outstanding average of 50.12. Harleen Deol has also been in fine form recently, providing stability and crucial runs at the top.

### Middle Order Strength
The middle order features captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, and wicket-keeper Richa Ghosh. Harmanpreet, Deepti, and Jemimah have each maintained an average above 38 with strike rates exceeding 100 in WODIs this year. Deepti Sharma has been particularly outstanding, amassing runs at a remarkable average of 76.20 in 2025. Meanwhile, Richa Ghosh has excelled in the finisher’s role with a strike rate of 130.26, underlining her ability to close matches effectively.

### Bowling Attack
Sneh Rana adds depth to the lower order with her valuable all-round skills. Her accurate off-spin and resilience with the bat have been crucial in tight situations. Alongside Rana and Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav is expected to be the other spinner, especially given the slow pitches in India and Sri Lanka. The return of Renuka Singh Thakur to lead the pace attack is a significant boost for the team. Kranti Goud, another pace sensation, is also likely to feature, completing a well-rounded bowling lineup.

### Final Playing XI
India’s strongest XI for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 is expected to be:
**Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wicket-keeper), Sneh Rana, Renuka Singh Thakur, Kranti Goud, Radha Yadav.**

This squad perfectly balances experience and youth, with solid batting depth and diverse bowling options, positioning India as strong contenders for the title.
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