Her ability to hold her nerve against top sides is notable
Women’s cricket is brimming with fresh talent, and the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 promises to be a showcase of the next generation.
With the 2025 edition to be hosted jointly by Sri Lanka and India, the tournament is no longer just about established stars; it is also about those waiting to seize the spotlight.
From explosive batters to game-changing all-rounders, these players could shape their teams’ fortunes.
Their performances will not just thrill fans but redefine expectations of what the next generation can achieve.
As the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 commences on September 30, let’s look at five rising stars who are expected to set the tournament on fire.
Pratika Rawal (India)
Pratika Rawal has quickly become India’s latest batting sensation.
Making her international debut in December 2024, she wasted no time cementing her place alongside Smriti Mandhana.
With 703 runs from 14 matches at an average of 54.07, Rawal has already produced five fifties and a century.
Her technique blends classical strokeplay with controlled aggression, allowing her to dictate terms against both pace and spin.
Mandhana praised her as a calm batter whose batting style is perfect for the ODI format.
For a psychology student balancing sport and study, the 25-year-old has shown remarkable maturity.
Moving from Delhi to Railways to test herself against senior players reflects her commitment to growth.
At India’s home World Cup, she has the chance to turn promise into stardom.
Rabeya Khan (Bangladesh)
Rabeya Khan has grown steadily into one of Bangladesh’s key bowlers.
With 26 wickets in 24 ODIs at an average of 28.38, the leg-spinner has already delivered crucial spells in high-pressure games.
She starred in Bangladesh’s World Cup Qualifier campaign in Pakistan, taking six wickets, including a match-winning 3/39 against Ireland.
Her ability to hold her nerve against top sides is notable, highlighted by her 3/23 against India in a T20I in 2024.
In conditions favouring spin, her partnership with Fahima Khatun could trouble many batting line-ups.
Having waited patiently for her ODI chance, 20-year-old Khan is now ready to make the World Cup her stage.
Georgia Voll (Australia)
Georgia Voll has made a rapid rise in Australia’s ranks.
Handed a central contract months into her debut season, she capitalised on Alyssa Healy’s injury to secure a top-order spot.
In her first ODI series against India, Voll struck 173 runs at a blistering strike rate of 108.80, including a century in just her second game.
Her talent extends beyond ODIs. In T20Is, she has amassed 210 runs at a strike rate of 144.82, while her stint in India’s Women’s Premier League showcased her powerplay dominance with 154 runs at close to 170 strike rate.
Experience in subcontinent conditions could prove invaluable at the Women’s World Cup. Voll has already shown she can rise to the occasion; now she must do it on cricket’s biggest stage.
Lauren Filer (England)
England’s Lauren Filer is one of the fastest bowlers in the women’s game.
With 29 wickets in 19 matches at an average of 23.82, she brings extra pace and bounce that unsettles batters.
In July, she delivered the fastest recorded over in women’s cricket during a T20I against India at The Oval.
Filer has her eyes set on the 80 mph mark, an ambitious target that highlights her hunger.
On Indian and Sri Lankan pitches, where bounce is usually limited, her speed will be crucial in creating discomfort for opponents.
By reducing reaction time and forcing mistakes, Filer’s role could prove decisive for England’s campaign.
Annerie Dercksen (South Africa)
Annerie Dercksen is emerging as one of South Africa’s brightest prospects.
With 399 runs and 10 wickets in 11 matches, she has already demonstrated her value as an all-rounder. Her batting average of 39.90 and bowling average of 24.30 underline her consistency.
At number 6, she provides depth with runs at a strike rate near 120, while her knack for taking wickets at key moments adds balance to the side.
Her potential was recognised with the ICC Women’s Emerging Player of the Year award in 2024.
Batting coach Baakier Abrahams praised the 24-year-old’s ability to transfer skills from nets to matches seamlessly.
Alongside Marizanne Kapp and Nadine de Klerk, Dercksen could be a game-changer for South Africa at this World Cup.
The ICC Women’s World Cup is not just about established icons but also the young cricketers shaping the sport’s future.
From Rawal’s assured batting to Filer’s raw pace, each of these players has the potential to turn games in their nation’s favour.
Their rise reflects a broader shift in women’s cricket, where youth is no longer just learning but leading.
Getting underway on September 30, the ICC Women’s World Cup could well be remembered for the stars it creates as much as the titles it decides.
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