The ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 has achieved a historic milestone, with the thrilling India-Pakistan fixture becoming the most-watched women’s international cricket match of all time. The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced this groundbreaking news on Thursday.
This eagerly awaited contest, which took place in October 2025, saw India defeat Pakistan by 88 runs at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The match captivated an enormous audience, achieving a remarkable reach of 28.4 million viewers and generating an unparalleled 1.87 billion minutes of consumption. These statistics mark a significant moment for the growth and popularity of women’s cricket globally.
In terms of league stage matches, the India-Pakistan encounter has set a new record for viewership within the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup. Another significant achievement occurred on October 12, when the India-Australia game recorded a peak concurrent viewership of 4.8 million on JioHotstar, establishing a new all-time high for live streaming in women’s cricket.
The tournament has seen a dramatic increase in fan engagement from its outset. The initial 11 matches, including those featuring India against Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and South Africa, reached 72 million viewers, a massive 166% increase from the previous tournament. Watch time surged by an astounding 327%, reaching 6.3 billion minutes, demonstrating a profound connection between fans and the competition.
The ICC further reported that the first 13 matches have already drawn over 60 million viewers, a fivefold increase compared to the 2022 edition. Total viewing hours have reached an incredible 7 billion minutes, a twelvefold increase from the previous tournament, highlighting the exponential growth in audience engagement.
The tournament is being broadcast extensively on Star Sports channels and JioHotstar, with coverage available in five languages: English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. For accessibility, Indian Sign Language commentary is provided. Innovative features such as multi-camera angles and Max View on live streaming enhance the viewing experience.
Host nation India, captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, is currently fourth in the standings with four points from four games. Their quest for a semi-final berth depends on winning their remaining league matches against England, New Zealand, and Bangladesh.
