Rama Krishna Sangem
If 35,000 people watched live the memorable ICC Women’s cricket World Cup 2025 final at DY Patil Sports Academy Stadium in Navi Mumbai on November 2 Sunday, another 5 crore people saw it on TV screens and a whopping 30 crore enjoyed it on digital media Apps. So, a total 35-36 crore views our Women in Blue evoked in their final clash with South Africa.
In a historic moment for women’s cricket, the Indian Women’s National Cricket Team has propelled the sport to unprecedented heights by drawing the highest viewership ever recorded for a World Cup final, according to 55B CrackNews, a defence, science and technology portal. .
Millions tuned in to witness India face off against South Africa in a high-stakes encounter that not only showcased exceptional talent but also underscored the growing global appeal of women’s cricket.
Reports from digital platforms and broadcasters indicate that live viewership peaked at over 190 million, shattering previous records and marking a pivotal shift in the perception and consumption of women’s sports in India and beyond.
The tournament, hosted entirely in India for the first time, has been a resounding success in terms of fan engagement, with the final serving as the crowning jewel. India’s journey to the final was nothing short of dramatic. This victory not only avenged past defeats but also set the stage for what would become a viewership phenomenon.
Phenomenal growth in viewership for women cricket
The viewership numbers tell a story of exponential growth. According to ICC reports, the tournament’s first 13 matches attracted over 60 million viewers—a fivefold increase from the 2022 edition—and generated 7 billion minutes of watch-time, up 12 times from previous highs.
Key clashes amplified this surge: the India-Pakistan group stage encounter on October 5 drew 28.4 million viewers and 1.87 billion minutes, making it the most-watched women’s international cricket match ever and the highest-rated league-stage game in Women’s ODI World Cup history.
The India-Australia semi-final followed suit, peaking at 4.8 million concurrent viewers on JioHotstar and attracting 131 million overall. By the final, these figures escalated dramatically, with early reports from platforms like JioHotstar showing 121 million viewers within the first few overs, climbing to 135 million mid-match and ultimately exceeding 190 million. This surpasses historical benchmarks, such as the 126 million viewers for the 2017 Women’s World Cup final in India, and even rivals major men’s events in peak concurrency, says 55BCrackNews portal.