India’s winning of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 has now turned into a sparkling chapter in the history of women cricket. Yesterday, the whole nation was made to feel and experience emotions like, proud and speechless by the girls of Harmanpreet Kaur, when they beat South Africa in the finals at Navi Mumbai to win India’s first-ever women’s ODI world cup title.
This victory has made Kaur’s name a part of the list of the great captains who have been awarded this trophy earlier. Winning a World Cup is every player’s dream since they were kids and India has finally done it in front of billions globally. This win is not only a tournament win for India; it is a moment of change in women’s cricket that will never be forgotten by the cricket lovers’ memory.
The history of women’s cricket is quite long, and one of the most significant feats one could think of is winning the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. After over 50 years of competition, only a few chosen captains have guided their teams to the pinnacle of the sport. These leaders from the very first edition in 1973 to India’s recent victory in 2025 have written their names in history by taking their teams to the finals when it was most required.
List of Women’s Cricket World Cup–Winning Captains
Also read: ICC Women’s World Cup Prize Money: Full list of awards and how much did Team India receive?
Why this list matters
The people listed here are not just tournament winners; they are representatives of a long history of women’s cricket through their respective eras as captains, who besides being recognized, made every major decision, inspired their teams and celebrated by lifting the trophy. The leadership of these captains held throughout the time women’s cricket was fighting for acknowledgement, support, and even opportunity.
For instance, Australia’s power over the years was built under outstanding leaders such as Belinda Clark and Meg Lanning but today, the entry of Harmanpreet Kaur into this list signifies a new era. When India finally grabbed the 2025 championship under her leadership, it was not only a victory but also a landmark point for the Indian cricket culture.
Moreover, it is crucial to point out that these captains played in very different times, from the early days of limited sport exposure, to the present where the Women’s World Cup resonates with global audiences, has professional leagues, commercial backing and immense expectation. So, the strategic, tactical, and human role of a captain has become more complicated.
The presence of Harmanpreet Kaur on the list is more than just a coincidence. She has led a home tournament, gone through high-stakes knockout rounds, controlled pressure and given a first-ever World Cup to her country, now she belongs to a group of top leaders. For the young cricketers, seeing her name next to the likes of Clark and Edwards is a very strong message: being a world champion is not just a dream it’s close to reality.
Final word
The captains who won the series have been a parade of ground-breaking female sports players each one with her own distinctiveness, virtues, and narrative. however, what they all have in common is the charisma to lead, the power to perform, and the influence to inspire at the time that was really crucial.
The expansion of this list will happen alongside the woman’s cricket rise by that time, new names will enter this prestigious club. For the moment, let us honor the heritage that these captains have created and the one shining new name that stands out the most for India today.
Written By:- Manjunath S