The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken a significant step regarding the upcoming Women's ODI World Cup 2025, which will be hosted in India from late September to early November. While the tournament will be held across five major Indian cities, the Pakistan women’s team might not play in India, and their matches could be scheduled at a neutral venue if they qualify.
Five Indian Venues Finalized
According to reports, BCCI has shortlisted five cities to host the tournament:
- Indore
- Visakhapatnam
- Thiruvananthapuram
- Guwahati
- Mullanpur (Chandigarh)
However, if Pakistan qualifies through the qualifiers next month, an additional neutral venue might be included, following a potential agreement between BCCI and PCB. This move aligns with past ICC events where India and Pakistan played at neutral venues due to political tensions.
Guwahati to Host First-Ever Men's Test Match
Apart from hosting the Women's World Cup, Guwahati will also stage its first men's Test match during South Africa’s tour of India later this year. The two-match Test series will begin in New Delhi, followed by the second match in Guwahati.
Duleep Trophy Returns to Zonal Format
In another major decision, the Duleep Trophy will revert to its traditional zonal format (North, South, East, West, Central, and North-East Zones) for the 2025-26 season. This shift comes after state associations opposed the previous format, where teams were selected by national selectors. The tournament will take place in Bengaluru in September 2025.
What’s Next?
The BCCI's decision regarding Pakistan’s venue is expected to be finalized after the ICC Women's World Cup qualifiers. If Pakistan qualifies, it will be interesting to see where their matches are held. Meanwhile, cricket fans in Guwahati and other host cities can look forward to a historic season ahead!
