Mumbai: International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Jay Shah on Monday described the return of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup to India as a “defining moment” for the women’s game. He said the sport’s governing body remains “open to new ideas” and is actively working to maintain the upward momentum of women’s cricket.

Cricket legends Mithali Raj and Yuvraj Singh, along with current stars Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, and Jemimah Rodrigues, joined the ‘50 Days to Go’ launch event in Mumbai ahead of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. This 50-over tournament will be the first senior ICC Women’s event in the subcontinent since 2016, when India hosted the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. India has previously hosted the Women’s World Cup in 1978, 1997, and 2013.

The event, inaugurated by Shah, featured panel discussions with past and present Indian cricket stars, as well as ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta.

“The return of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 to India comes at a defining moment for the women’s game, setting the stage for a truly world-class tournament that will further enhance the sport’s global stature,” Shah said. “At the ICC, we are open to new ideas and constantly exploring ways to keep women’s cricket growing. Discussions like today’s panel are crucial for shaping our shared vision and driving progress.”

With just 50 days until the tournament begins, Shah confirmed that preparations are in full swing and excitement is building. He wished all teams the best, expressing confidence that players will have an “unforgettable experience” in India and Sri Lanka.

The launch also kicked off the ICC Trophy Tour, starting in Mumbai and travelling to all host cities, including Delhi. As part of a school legacy programme, the trophy will visit several schools in each city, with select schools invited to attend World Cup matches.

The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 will run from September 30 to November 2, with India taking on Sri Lanka in the opening match in Bengaluru.