India all-rounder Sneh Rana has spoken about the rapid growth of women’s cricket, the evolving mindset of young players, and the transformative impact of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) on the sport. Rana, who played a key role in India’s 2025 Women’s World Cup victory, credited regular exposure to foreign pitches and conditions as a major factor behind the team’s development.
“Earlier, we used to wait a long time for international tours because there were very few matches. Now, we get regular opportunities to play abroad and that has made a huge difference,” Rana said on JioStar’s show ‘Celebrating Champions.’ “Playing on different pitches and in different conditions teaches you how to adjust quickly. That exposure has really helped our development.”
‘This team never lost faith,’ says Sneh Rana on India’s World Cup journey
Rana highlighted the growing confidence among the new generation of cricketers, noting a visible shift in mindset compared to earlier years. She also recalled how the Women’s World Cup squad maintained belief and composure despite losing three consecutive group-stage matches.
“This team stayed positive through everything. Even after losing three matches in a row, no one panicked. We believed that one good game could change our momentum,” she said. “The support staff and players never lost faith, and that belief helped us go all the way.”
Rana featured in six matches during the tournament, taking seven wickets at an economy rate of 5.67, and contributing 99 runs across five innings. India went on to script history by defeating South Africa by 52 runs in Navi Mumbai on November 2, clinching their maiden Women’s World Cup title.
