ICC Women’s World Cup 2025: Sneh Rana to Nashra Sandhu, five bowling stars to watch out for

The stage is set for eight nations to battle for the coveted title as the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Women’s World Cup 2025 gets underway in India, with Guwahati hosting the action. With the rise of T20 cricket, the game has tilted somewhat in favour of batters, thanks to limited fielders outside the circle and other restrictions. However, ODIs remain a format that offers a more balanced contest between bat and ball. For bowlers, it often takes just one delivery — a googly, yorker, or a perfect good-length ball — to outwit batters and change the course of the game. Here’s a look at some bowlers who could make a huge impact in this year’s Women’s ODI World Cup.

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Megan Schutt, Australia
The 32-year-old Australian campaigner is a right-arm fast-medium bowler who stands at 5 ft 8 in, giving her an edge with natural swing and bounce. Schutt was the first cricketer to claim a hat-trick for Australia in a Women’s T20 International. In ODIs, she has played 91 matches and taken 123 wickets at an impressive average of 23.65, with best figures of 4/18. With her experience and proven record, Schutt is expected to once again play a pivotal role for her team.

Sneh Rana, India
At 31, Sneh Rana from Dehradun, Uttarakhand, has established herself as a dependable off-spinner for India. Known for providing key breakthroughs, she is equally effective at applying pressure in the middle overs, restricting the run flow and creating opportunities for her teammates. Rana has represented India in 31 ODIs, claiming 24 wickets at an average of 33.50, with best figures of 4/30.


Lauren Bell, England
The 24-year-old English pacer made her international debut in June 2022 and has already shown promise. Bell also gained experience in Indian conditions while playing for the UP Warriorz in the inaugural Women’s Premier League, a factor that could prove crucial in this World Cup. In her nine ODIs so far, she has picked up 15 wickets at an average of 30.57.

Marufa Akter, Bangladesh
Only 20 years old, Marufa Akter is a right-arm medium-fast bowler renowned for her accuracy and disciplined line and length. In 15 ODIs, she has taken 11 wickets, with best figures of 4/29. A product of Bangladesh’s premier sporting institution, the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP), Akter idolises Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya and will be eager to make a mark on the world stage.

Nashra Sandhu, Pakistan
At 27, Nashra Sandhu has become a mainstay in Pakistan’s bowling attack. The slow left-arm orthodox spinner has featured in 48 ODIs, claiming 62 wickets at an average of 27.51 and an impressive economy rate of 4.01. Sandhu first caught attention during the ODI World Cup Qualifiers in 2017 and made her debut against South Africa, where she bagged 3/51. She later took four wickets against India in the 2017 ODI World Cup in England. More recently, Sandhu created history by becoming the first Asian left-arm spinner to take a six-wicket haul in a Women’s ODI, achieving the feat against South Africa at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.