The year 2025 was a watershed moment for Women's One Day International (ODI) cricket, highlighted by record-breaking

scoring rates, evolving tactical approaches, and India's triumphant World Cup campaign held in India and Sri Lanka. The

Women's 50-over game saw more than 90 ODIs played globally between 16 teams, the most in a single year.

A significant transformation occurred in scoring dynamics. The scoring rate exceeded five runs per over for the first

time, reaching 5.08. The average runs per wicket also peaked at 28.85. First-innings totals regularly surpassed 250,

with a record 25 instances of teams posting 300-plus scores, a substantial increase from 10 in 2024. Individual batting

performances mirrored this trend, with 48 centuries recorded, surpassing the previous high by 19. Aggressive batting led

to a record 350 sixes, more than double the 2022 number. India led scoring rate with 6.25 runs per six balls, closely

followed by Australia (6.11). South Africa's batters scored 13 centuries, followed by India with 11 centuries in 2025.

Tactical approaches also shifted, with chasing becoming a preferred strategy due to enhanced batting depth and

power-hitting capabilities. Eight successful chases of targets exceeding 250 were achieved, including two over 300 in

the World Cup. Defending totals below 280 became increasingly challenging. Captains showed greater confidence in their

batting lineups, trusting them to manage pressure and accelerate scoring late in innings.

India emerged as a dominant force, setting the pace with aggressive batting and consistent performance. They posted a

record-breaking 435/5 against Ireland, among the highest totals in women's ODI history. India scored nine 300-plus

totals in 2025, the most by any team in a calendar year. India Women won 15 out of 23 ODIs this year, their win

percentage of 68.2 was the second best after Australia's (84.61). India's average run per wicket was 43.09 - the best by

any team in a calendar year where they played a minimum of 20 ODI matches.

Smriti Mandhana became the first woman to surpass 1000 runs in a calendar year, amassing 1362 runs at an average of 61.9

and a strike rate of 109.92, including five centuries. Her five hundreds this year in 2025 are the joint-most by a woman

batter in an ODI calendar year, along with Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt - who also scored five centuries each in

2025. She also set a new record for the most sixes in a calendar year, with 32. Laura Wolvaardt also crossed the

1000-run mark, finishing with 1174 runs.

Spin bowlers played a crucial role, accounting for approximately 58 percent of wickets. They adapted by using variations

and attacking fields to control the middle overs, prioritizing wicket-taking over run containment. India's spin bowlers

took 108 wickets, contributing significantly to the team's success. Deepti's 39 wickets this year in ODIs are the most

by a bowler in any Women's ODI calendar year.

India's World Cup victory was the culmination of strategic planning and resilience. They successfully chased a 339-run

target against Australia in the semi-final, the highest successful chase in women's ODI history, and defeated South

Africa in the final. India became the fourth nation to win the Women's ODI World Cup. Deepti became the first woman to

score 200+ runs and take 20+ wickets in a Women's ODI tournament, and the first ever to score a fifty and take five

wickets in a World Cup knockout.