No Harmanpreet Kaur as 3 Indians Named in ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Team of the Tournament

India’s title-winning captain Harmanpreet Kaur was a surprising omission from the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Team of the Tournament, announced on November 4.
The selection committee, led by a panel of ICC experts and former cricketers, named South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt as captain of the eleven, recognizing her outstanding form and leadership throughout the tournament.

Three Indians Make the Elite XI

Despite Harmanpreet’s absence, India featured prominently with three players in the final XI — Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Deepti Sharma.
All three were instrumental in India’s successful campaign, which saw them lift the World Cup after a decade-long wait.

Smriti Mandhana, India’s most consistent performer, amassed 434 runs at an average of 54.25, including crucial knocks in the semi-final and final. She will open the batting alongside Laura Wolvaardt, who topped the overall run charts with 571 runs at 71.37, scoring back-to-back centuries in the tournament’s final stages.

Jemimah Rodrigues has been slotted at No. 3, her stability and stroke-making earning widespread praise.

Deepti Sharma: The Tournament’s Top All-Rounder

Deepti Sharma was a unanimous pick among selectors after a stellar all-round performance.
She finished as the leading wicket-taker with 22 wickets and contributed 215 runs with the bat. Her ability to deliver under pressure in crunch moments was key to India’s title win.

Deepti’s consistent performances throughout the competition established her as one of the world’s most dependable all-rounders in modern women’s cricket.

Harmanpreet Kaur’s Omission Raises Questions

Harmanpreet Kaur’s exclusion, despite scoring 260 runs and leading India to the championship, sparked debate among fans and analysts.
Her captaincy under high-pressure conditions and composed leadership were widely regarded as critical to India’s triumph.
However, the selection committee emphasized that the final XI was based purely on individual statistics and tournament performances.

Selection Panel and Composition

The Team of the Tournament was chosen by a panel comprising Ian Bishop, Mel Jones, Isa Guha, Gaurav Saxena (ICC General Manager - Events and Corporate Communications), and Estelle Vasudevan (Journalist Representative).

The final XI features players from India, South Africa, and Australia, each contributing three names, while Pakistan and England have one representative each.

Complete ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Team of the Tournament

• Smriti Mandhana (India)

• Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa) (c)

• Jemimah Rodrigues (India)

• Marizanne Kapp (South Africa)

• Ashleigh Gardner (Australia)

• Deepti Sharma (India)

• Annabel Sutherland (Australia)

• Nadine de Klerk (South Africa)

• Sidra Nawaz (Pakistan) (wk)

• Alana King (Australia)

12th Player: Sophie Ecclestone (England)

Global Reactions and Key Takeaways

The team’s announcement drew significant attention, especially with Harmanpreet’s omission and Laura Wolvaardt’s captaincy decision.
Wolvaardt’s batting heroics, consistency, and calm leadership for South Africa during crucial matches made her a deserving choice for captain.

Meanwhile, India’s dominance in the squad reflects the team’s strong World Cup showing, where their blend of youth and experience proved pivotal.

Conclusion

The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Team of the Tournament celebrates some of the best individual performances of the season.
While Harmanpreet Kaur’s absence raised eyebrows, the inclusion of Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Deepti Sharma underscores India’s growing influence in global women’s cricket.
As the sport continues to evolve, the spotlight on these emerging stars is only set to intensify in the lead-up to the next ICC cycle.