Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025: All-Women Umpires, Highest Prize Money & India–Sri Lanka Hosting Highlights
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Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025
Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 : The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a groundbreaking decision for the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025—every single match official will be a woman. This is the first time in the 52-year history of the tournament that all on-field umpires and match referees are female, signalling a new era of gender equality in world cricket.
Tournament Overview
Dates: 30 September – 27 October 2025
Hosts: India and Sri Lanka
Opening Match: Guwahati, India vs. Sri Lanka
Total Teams: 10 (final qualification details to follow from ICC)
Format: Round-robin league stage followed by knockouts
The tournament will be played across iconic venues in India and Sri Lanka, including Chennai, Bengaluru, Colombo, and Galle, promising a blend of subcontinental pitches and passionate crowds.
Complete Match Officials List
Umpires (14): Lauren Agenbag, Candace La Borde, Kim Cotton, Sarah Dambanevana, Shathira Jakir Jessy, Kerrin Klaaste, N Janani, Nimalie Perera, Claire Polosak, Vrinda Rathi, Sue Redfern, Eloise Sheridan, Gayathri Venugopalan, Jacqueline Williams
India shines on the global stage with **three umpires—Vrinda Rathi, N Janani, and Gayathri Venugopalan—**all former domestic players who rose through BCCI’s umpiring pathway. GS Lakshmi, the world’s first female ICC match referee, continues to inspire by joining the elite four-member referee panel.
Historic Prize Money
Total Prize Pool:USD 13.88 million (approx. ₹122 crore) – higher than the Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 purse of USD 10 million.
Winner’s Purse:USD 4.48 million (approx. ₹39.55 crore) – the largest ever in women’s cricket.
Additional awards for Player of the Tournament, Best Bowler, Best Batter, and Fair Play will further boost individual recognition.
ICC’s Vision
ICC President Jay Shah called the move “a landmark step that showcases our commitment to inclusivity and excellence. This is not just a symbolic milestone but a sustainable pathway for women officials globally.”
Key Impact of the All-Women Panel
Pathbreaking Equality: Sets a precedent for men’s tournaments and other sports.
Career Pathways: Opens opportunities for women in officiating and sports administration.
Audience Growth: Inspires millions of young girls to see cricket as a full-fledged career.
Why This World Cup Matters
The Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 represents progress, parity, and potential. From India’s vibrant hosting to record-breaking finances, it is more than a sporting event—it is a statement of how far women’s cricket has come and how bright the future looks.
