The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday announced the Team of the Tournament for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2025, highlighting players who delivered standout performances throughout the championship. India’s stunning title win in Dhaka was reflected in the selection — four Indian stars made it to the elite lineup.
India dominates the ICC Best XI
The ICC panel included captain Harmanpreet Kaur, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, all-rounder Deepti Sharma, and pace spearhead Renuka Singh Thakur in the 11-member squad. Their collective consistency was pivotal to India’s triumph, as they broke Australia’s long-standing dominance in women’s cricket.
While India lifted the trophy after defeating Australia by four runs in a thrilling final, the ICC named Australian legend Meg Lanning as captain of the tournament team for her tactical brilliance and match-winning knocks in the group stages.
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 – Team of the Tournament
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Alyssa Healy (Australia) – Wicketkeeper
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Smriti Mandhana (India)
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Meg Lanning (Australia) – Captain
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Harmanpreet Kaur (India)
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Nat Sciver-Brunt (England)
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Deepti Sharma (India)
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Amelia Kerr (New Zealand)
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Ashleigh Gardner (Australia)
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Renuka Singh Thakur (India)
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Sophie Ecclestone (England)
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Shabnim Ismail (South Africa)
Why these players stood out
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Smriti Mandhana was India’s leading run-scorer, amassing 283 runs at an average of 47, including two half-centuries and a crucial 71 in the semifinal.
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Harmanpreet Kaur anchored the middle order with vital knocks under pressure, finishing with 176 runs and a strike rate of 132.
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Deepti Sharma excelled as a finisher and bowler, claiming 11 wickets and playing two match-turning cameos in the death overs.
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Renuka Singh Thakur delivered with the new ball, finishing as the tournament’s joint-highest wicket-taker (13 wickets), including 3/15 in the final.
Meg Lanning’s captaincy earned widespread praise for balancing an injury-hit Australian squad, even as her team fell just short in the final.
Global reactions
Cricket pundits hailed the inclusion of four Indian players as a reflection of India’s dominance and depth. Former England skipper Charlotte Edwards called India’s representation “a sign of a genuine power shift in women’s cricket.”
Social media platforms lit up with congratulatory messages, with fans celebrating the recognition of India’s players on the global stage. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released a statement saying, “This recognition from ICC underscores the exceptional performances of our players who made the nation proud.”
Looking ahead
The next major ICC women’s event will be the 2026 ICC Women’s Champions Trophy, which India will host. The BCCI is expected to capitalize on the T20 World Cup success by investing further in women’s domestic circuits and expanding the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
