India Women vs Ireland Women 2025: Key Players, Schedule, & Predictions
Updated on : 10 January, 2025

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Overview of the Ireland Women Tour of India 2025
The Ireland Women's cricket team is embarking on a significant tour of India in January 2025, marking their first-ever bilateral series against the Indian women's team on Indian soil. This tour consists of three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and is a part of the ICC Women's Championship, which is crucial for both teams as they aim to secure valuable points for World Cup qualification.
India enters this series with high expectations after a successful run against the West Indies, while Ireland seeks redemption following a disappointing whitewash series against Bangladesh. The matches will be played at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot, which is known for its batting-friendly conditions.

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Team Squads
India | Ireland |
---|---|
Smriti Mandhana (C) | Gaby Lewis (C) |
Deepti Sharma (VC) | Joanna Loughran (WK) |
Uma Chetry (WK) | Sarah Forbes (WK) |
Harleen Deol | Orla Prendergast (VC) |
Richa Ghosh (WK) | Laura Delany |
Tejal Hasabnis | Leah Paul |
Tanuja Kanwar | Una Raymond-Hoey |
Minnu Mani | Arlene Kelly |
Pratika Rawal | Ava Canning |
Priya Mishra | Freya Sargent |
Raghvi Bist | Aimee Maguire |
Jemimah Rodrigues | Rebecca Stokell |
Titas Sadhu | Georgina Dempsey |
Sayali Satghare | Alana Dalzell |
Saima Thakor | Coulter Reilly (WK) |
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Schedule of Matches
The series schedule is as follows:
Match | Date | Time (IST) | Venue |
---|---|---|---|
1st ODI | January 10, 2025 | 11:00 AM | Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot |
2nd ODI | January 12, 2025 | 11:00 AM | Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot |
3rd ODI | January 15, 2025 | 11:00 AM | Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot |
Venue and Pitch Conditions

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The Niranjan Shah Stadium formerly known as Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium is known for its flat, hard surface, making it a paradise for batters. The average first innings score in ODIs at this venue is around 321 runs, indicating that teams batting first have historically had an advantage.
Pitch Characteristics:
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Batting-Friendly: The pitch generally favors batsmen, allowing for high scores.
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Spin Assistance: As the match progresses, spinners may find some turn and bounce, particularly in the later stages of the game.
Given these conditions, winning the toss could be crucial, with teams likely opting to bat first to set a challenging target.
Key Players to Watch Out For
India
- Smriti Mandhana (C) - Renowned for her aggressive batting style, Mandhana's form will be pivotal for India.

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- Jemimah Rodrigues - A talented middle-order batter who can anchor innings or accelerate scoring when needed.

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- Deepti Sharma (VC) - An all-rounder who contributes significantly with both bat and ball, especially in spin-friendly conditions.

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Ireland
- Gaby Lewis (C) - The captain will play a crucial role in leading from the front with her batting prowess.

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- Laura Delany - An experienced all-rounder whose performance with both bat and ball can turn matches.

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- Orla Prendergast (VC) - A young talent who has shown promise in previous outings and could be key in tight situations.

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Broadcasting Details and How to Watch the Matches
Fans can catch all the action live through various platforms:
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Television Broadcast: The matches will be telecast live on Sports18 Network across India.
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Live Streaming: Viewers can also watch the series on JioCinema, available on both app and website formats.
These options ensure that fans can stay connected with every moment of this historic series.
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Head-to-Head Performance
Historically, India has dominated encounters with Ireland in ODIs:
Team 1 | Team 2 | Winner | Margin | Ground | Match Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
India Women | IRE Women | India Women | 249 runs | Potchefstroom | May 15, 2017 |
India Women | IRE Women | India Women | 10 wickets | Potchefstroom (Uni) | May 7, 2017 |
India Women | IRE Women | India Women | 125 runs | Colombo (PSS) | Feb 10, 2017 |
India Women | IRE Women | India Women | 9 wickets | Loughborough | Jun 24, 2012 |
IRE Women | India Women | India Women | 78 runs | Dublin | Jul 30, 2006 |
IRE Women | India Women | India Women | 107 runs | Dublin | Jul 29, 2006 |
India Women | IRE Women | India Women | 9 wickets | Pretoria | Mar 24, 2005 |
IRE Women | India Women | India Women | 144 runs | Dublin | Jul 26, 2002 |
IRE Women | India Women | India Women | 8 wickets | Dublin | Jul 24, 2002 |
India Women | IRE Women | India Women | 30 runs | Christchurch | Dec 11, 2000 |
India Women | IRE Women | India Women | 161 runs | Milton Keynes | Jun 26, 1999 |
India Women | IRE Women | India Women | 4 wickets | Crowthorne | Jul 26, 1993 |
This record underscores India's strength in women's cricket and sets a challenging backdrop for Ireland as they seek to make their mark during this series.
What are the Expected Challenges for Ireland Women in Indian Conditions
Ireland Women face several challenges as they prepare for this series:
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Adapting to Spin-Friendly Conditions: Indian pitches are typically conducive to spin bowling, which could pose difficulties for Ireland's batters who may not be as experienced against quality spinners.
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Depth of Squad: With injuries affecting their lineup, Ireland's squad depth may be tested against a more experienced Indian side.
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Handling Pressure Situations: Competing against a higher-ranked team can create pressure situations that might impact performance, especially for younger players.
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Fielding Standards: Improved fielding will be essential; lapses could lead to missed opportunities against a strong batting lineup like India's.
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Mental Toughness: Maintaining confidence and composure throughout the series will be crucial as they aim to overcome historical challenges against India.
Predictions and Expectations for the Series Outcome
Given India's current form and historical dominance over Ireland, they are favored to win this series comfortably. However, if Ireland can adapt quickly to conditions and leverage their strengths, they could surprise their opponents.
Predictions:
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India is expected to win the series 3-0 based on current form and squad depth.
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Key performances from players like Smriti Mandhana and Gaby Lewis could define individual matches' outcomes.
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If Ireland manages to secure even one victory, it would mark a significant achievement for them.
Impact of the Series on Women's Cricket Globally
This series holds importance beyond just these two teams:
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Growing Interest: As women's cricket gains popularity globally, competitive series like this attract attention and inspire young girls to take up the sport.
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Development Opportunities: For teams like Ireland, playing against higher-ranked sides provides invaluable experience that aids their development.
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Increased Visibility: Broadcasting these matches ensures that women's cricket receives more visibility, encouraging sponsorships and support at all levels.
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ICC Women's Championship Significance: Points earned during this series contribute towards World Cup qualification, emphasizing its importance on an international scale.
Conclusion
The Ireland Women vs India Women series is set to be an exciting contest that highlights both teams' strengths and challenges in women's cricket today. As they embark on this journey in Rajkot, fans around the world will be watching closely to see how these talented athletes perform under pressure and adapt to conditions that are foreign to them.
With everything at stake—from pride to points—the coming days promise thrilling cricket action that showcases the growth of women's cricket globally while providing a platform for emerging talents from both nations to shine brightly on an international stage.