What Is 2024-25 Senior Women's One Day Trophy

Overview

The 2024–25 Senior Women's One Day Trophy is the latest edition of India’s premier domestic women’s 50-over cricket tournament, organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). It serves as a critical platform for emerging and established female cricketers to showcase their skills ahead of national team selection.

This season marks the 22nd edition of the competition, which has evolved significantly since its inception in 2006–07. The tournament structure now includes a larger number of teams and a more competitive format to promote talent across regions.

• 37 teams participate this season, divided into Elite and Plate groups based on past performance and regional representation.
• The tournament begins in November 2024 and concludes with the final in February 2025, aligning with the domestic cricket calendar.
• Matches are played in the 50-over format, adhering to ICC standard playing conditions for women’s limited-overs cricket.
• Teams are grouped into five Elite groups and one Plate group, with promotion and relegation between divisions based on performance.
• The defending champions are Bengal, who won the 2023–24 title by defeating Railways in the final held in Ahmedabad.

How It Works

The competition follows a structured format combining league stages, knockouts, and inter-group progression to ensure competitive balance and player development.

• Group Stage: Teams compete within their Elite or Plate group in a round-robin format; top teams advance to the knockout rounds.
• Knockout Rounds: The top two teams from each Elite group and the top two from the Plate group enter quarterfinals, followed by semis and final.
• Promotion/Relegation: The winner of the Plate group is promoted to Elite status for the next season, replacing the lowest-ranked Elite team.
• Venues: Matches are hosted across multiple cities including Bengaluru, Jaipur, and Guwahati, with centralized neutral venues for knockouts.
• Player Registration: Each team registers a squad of 15 players, with allowances for mid-tournament replacements due to injury or national duty.
• Points System: Teams earn 4 points for a win, 2 for a tie/no result, and 0 for a loss, with bonus points for high-scoring victories.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2024–25 Senior Women's One Day Trophy compares with other domestic and international women’s cricket competitions:

The Senior Women's One Day Trophy stands out due to its extensive team participation and role as a direct feeder to the national team. Unlike franchise-based leagues like the WPL, it emphasizes state and institutional representation, fostering broader talent development across India’s cricketing landscape.

Why It Matters

The 2024–25 Senior Women's One Day Trophy plays a vital role in shaping India’s future in women’s cricket, offering visibility and competitive experience to hundreds of players.

• National team selection: Over 70% of India’s ODI squad in 2024 were graduates of this tournament, highlighting its scouting value.
• Grassroots development: The inclusion of teams from smaller states promotes inclusivity and regional talent identification.
• Player exposure: Performers earn invitations to BCCI-conducted zonal camps and potential WPL draft consideration.
• Financial support: The BCCI provides ₹25,000 per match to each team for travel and logistics, improving accessibility.
• Media coverage: Select matches are streamed on Disney+ Hotstar, increasing visibility for women’s domestic cricket.
• Pathway creation: The tournament feeds into the Women’s Under-23 One Day Championship and national selection panels.

With increasing investment and media attention, the Senior Women's One Day Trophy is becoming a cornerstone of India’s long-term strategy to dominate women’s international cricket.