6 records that can be broken in ICC Women’s World Cup 2025

For over a decade, Meg Lanning dominated the women’s game with her unmatched consistency and power. She signed off with 15 centuries in One Day Internationals, the most by any woman in the history of the format. With her retirement, that record is now within touching distance for the next generation.

New Zealand’s Suzie Bates sits on 13 hundreds and has the experience of five World Cups behind her. India’s Smriti Mandhana is just a step behind with 12 centuries and is currently enjoying the form of her career. Both batters are capable of scoring freely against any attack and have shown the temperament to convert fifties into hundreds.

It is almost certain that one, if not both, will go past Lanning’s tally in the near future. Mandhana, in particular, has been scoring hundreds at regular intervals over the past year and is only three away from equalling Lanning’s record. Bates has been a run machine for New Zealand for well over a decade and with her still opening the batting, she will have enough opportunities to add to her count. This World Cup is perfectly poised for a change at the top of the all time century charts.

2. Laura Wolvaardt closing in on 5000 ODI runs

South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt has become the backbone of her team’s batting in recent years. Elegant through the covers, rock solid in defense and a player who averages close to 50 in the format, Wolvaardt has been piling up runs consistently.

She enters this World Cup with 4523 career runs and is within striking distance of the 5000 mark. With group matches and potentially knockouts on offer, she could well cover that gap during the tournament itself.

Crossing 5000 runs would place Wolvaardt among the elite list of modern greats. Still only in her mid twenties, she could push towards 7000 or 8000 runs before her career ends, making her one of the all time leading scorers. The World Cup provides her with the platform to get there in style.

3. Sophie Devine on the brink of 4000 ODI runs

New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine has been one of the most destructive all-rounders of her generation. Known for her six-hitting ability and aggressive stroke play, she has anchored New Zealand’s batting on numerous occasions while also contributing with the ball.

She stands at 3990 ODI runs heading into the tournament, only 10 runs short of the 4000 milestone. That is a target she is almost guaranteed to achieve in her very first outing.

Crossing 4000 runs will make Devine one of the few players in women’s cricket to achieve the feat, underlining her longevity and consistency. Considering her dual role as an all rounder, the record adds further weight to her stature as one of New Zealand’s finest.

4. Nashra Sandhu on the verge of 100 ODI wickets

Pakistan’s left arm spinner Nashra Sandhu has been quietly effective in international cricket. With her ability to extract turn and control the flow of runs, she has been a reliable performer for her side.

She comes into the World Cup with 98 ODI wickets, just two shy of reaching the landmark 100. That milestone is expected to come quickly, as Pakistan will rely heavily on her to deliver breakthroughs in the middle overs.

Crossing 100 wickets would be a proud personal achievement for Sandhu and also a moment of significance for Pakistan cricket. It highlights the growth of their bowling resources and the impact of spinners in the women’s game.

5. Suzie Bates closing in on 6000 ODI runs

While she is in the hunt for the centuries record, Suzie Bates is also nearing another monumental landmark. With 5896 career runs, she is only 104 away from becoming the first New Zealand woman to score 6000 ODI runs.

Bates has been the face of New Zealand women’s cricket for more than 15 years. Her consistency at the top of the order has kept her among the top batters in the world. Achieving the 6000 run milestone would be another feather in her cap and would put her in very rare company globally.

Few players in history have touched that figure, and it will stand as a testament to Bates’ endurance, class and contribution to the game. This World Cup will almost certainly see her cross that mark.

6. Shabnim Ismail and Megan Schutt in pursuit of Jhulan Goswami’s World Cup record

While the earlier records are career based, the bowling battle in this World Cup has a unique subplot. South Africa’s Shabnim Ismail and Australia’s Megan Schutt are both within touching distance of Jhulan Goswami’s record tally of 43 wickets in Women’s World Cups.

Ismail, with 36 wickets, and Schutt, with 34, are expected to play major roles for their teams. With a deep tournament run, either bowler could surpass Goswami’s mark and become the leading wicket taker in World Cup history.

Ismail, who has retired from international T20s but continues in the 50 over format, still bowls with fire and pace. Schutt, on the other hand, has been Australia’s strike bowler with the new ball for years and remains a constant threat in conditions that offer swing.

This battle between two fast bowlers from different hemispheres adds spice to the tournament narrative. Watching who overtakes Goswami first will be one of the intriguing subplots as the World Cup progresses.

The Women’s ODI World Cup starting on September 30 promises to be a festival of cricket not just for teams and fans but also for players chasing personal milestones. From Suzie Bates and Smriti Mandhana eyeing Meg Lanning’s century record, to Laura Wolvaardt and Sophie Devine inching towards run milestones, and Nashra Sandhu targeting her 100th wicket, individual brilliance will accompany the collective drama of the event.

Records are part of the heartbeat of the game. They provide context, history and recognition to outstanding players. When the tournament ends, it will not just be about which team lifts the trophy. It will also be about the individual careers that took another step towards greatness.

This World Cup has every ingredient to deliver both, unforgettable team glory and unforgettable personal landmarks.