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India’s World Cup Dream in Danger; Record 28.4M Viewership Sets New Women’s Cricket Milestone

Shivansh Rana | 3 min read | 2 weeks ago | Oct 18, 2025 08:26 pm IST
India's World Cup Dream in Danger; Record 28.4M Viewership Sets New Women's Cricket Milestone

India’s World Cup Dream on the Line After Shock Defeats and Historic Highs

So, what’s really going on with the Indian women’s team at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025? After a blazing start, the path to the semi-finals has suddenly gotten incredibly rocky. Team India is now in a precarious position, staring down a series of must-win games to keep their championship hopes alive in the tournament running from September 30 to November 2.

Key Takeaways

  • India is in a must-win situation to qualify for the World Cup semi-finals after losses to South Africa and Australia.
  • The India-Pakistan match smashed records, becoming the most-watched women’s cricket match ever with 28.4 million viewers.
  • Australia set a new record by chasing down 331 runs against India, the highest successful chase in Women’s ODI history.
  • Overall tournament viewership has surged, reaching over 60 million viewers for the first 13 matches, a five-fold increase from 2022.

A Tale of Two Halves

It all started so well, didn’t it? The tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, saw the Women in Blue kick things off with dominant victories against Sri Lanka and then arch-rivals Pakistan. You probably thought they were cruising. But that’s cricket for you. Subsequent losses to a tough South African side and an unbeaten Australian team have completely flipped the script. Now, there’s zero room for error.

Look, the pressure is immense. Every match from here on out is basically a knockout. They need to win their remaining games against teams like New Zealand to even have a shot at that coveted semi-final spot. It’s a nail-biting time for fans.

The Social Media Storm: A Viewership Record for the Ages

But let’s talk about the silver lining, because it’s a massive one. That India-Pakistan clash in October 2025 wasn’t just a game. It was a cultural event. The ICC confirmed it became the most-watched women’s international cricket match of all time. We’re talking a staggering 28.4 million viewers and 1.87 billion minutes of consumption. That’s not just a record. That’s a statement.

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This shows the incredible growth of women’s cricket. The overall tournament has already pulled in over 60 million viewers in just the first 13 matches. That’s a five-fold jump from the 2022 edition. Brands like Google Gemini, SBI, and Hindustan Unilever are taking notice, and it’s about time.

Expert Analysis: The Australian Wake-Up Call

So where did it go wrong? The match against Australia was a brutal reality check. India put up a massive total, only to see the Aussies chase down 331 runs. That’s the highest successful run chase in the history of Women’s ODIs. To add insult to injury, India was also fined for a slow over-rate in that same game. Australia has already qualified for the semis, looking absolutely unstoppable.

Now, all eyes are on the senior players. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, the stylish Smriti Mandhana, and the reliable all-rounder Deepti Sharma have to step up. They are the engine of this team, and their performance in the next few games will decide everything. Can they handle the pressure and lead India to the knockouts?