The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a revised schedule for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025, shifting matches initially planned for Bengaluru to Navi Mumbai. This decision follows serious safety concerns regarding the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, which was deemed "unsafe for mass gatherings" after a tragic stampede on June 4 claimed 11 lives.

Safety Concerns Prompt Venue Change

The decision to move the Women's World Cup matches from Bengaluru was influenced by a report from the Justice (Retd.) Michael D'Cunha Commission, which investigated the June 4 stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) IPL title celebrations. The commission's report highlighted that the stadium's design posed "unacceptable risks to public safety, urban mobility, and emergency preparedness". The report also noted that entry and exit gates opened directly onto public footpaths without organized holding areas.

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) was unable to obtain the necessary clearances from local authorities to host the matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The ICC cited "unforeseen circumstances" for moving the games, while local media reported that police denied permission to the KSCA.

Navi Mumbai Steps In

Navi Mumbai's DY Patil Stadium will now host five matches of the Women's World Cup. These include three league-stage games: India vs. Sri Lanka (September 30), England vs. South Africa (October 3), and India vs. Bangladesh (October 26). The stadium will also host the second semi-final on October 30 and potentially the final on November 2. However, if Pakistan reaches the final, it will be held in Colombo.

ICC Chairman Jay Shah expressed confidence in Navi Mumbai as a venue for women's cricket, noting the "remarkable" support it has received during international fixtures and the Women's Premier League. The DY Patil Stadium has seen packed crowds for women's matches, including the Women's Premier League and bilateral series in recent years.

Revised Schedule and Other Venues

The tournament dates remain unchanged, running from September 30 to November 2. The other venues for the tournament are the ACA Stadium (Guwahati), Holkar Stadium (Indore), ACA-VDCA Stadium (Visakhapatnam), and R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo, Sri Lanka). The opening match between India and Sri Lanka, originally scheduled for Bengaluru, has been moved to Guwahati.

India's Squad and Tournament Format

Harmanpreet Kaur will captain the Indian team, with Smriti Mandhana as vice-captain. The squad includes Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Richa Ghosh, Kranti Gaud, Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Sree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, and Sneh Rana.

The Women's World Cup 2025 will feature eight teams competing in a round-robin format, followed by the knockout stage. A total of 31 matches will be played across the venues in India and Sri Lanka.