The World Cup held in India was immensely successful, but it wasn’t without controversies

The Indian women’s team won the ODI World Cup 2025 at home, making it an immensely successful event from the host's perspective. However, the tournament wasn’t without a fair share of controversies. As the year comes to an end, take a look at all the controversies that grabbed headlines in newspapers from the ODI World Cup.

Shift of venue

(Credit- The Hindu)

The tournament witnessed its first controversy when the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was rejected as a venue after being initially listed. According to reports, clearance to hold matches at the venue was not secured in time from the local authorities, and, given the stampede incident, the D.Y. Patil stadium in Navi Mumbai was chosen as Bengaluru’s replacement.

Unfair toss call

In the match between India and PAK, a toss call was wrongly given in PAK’s favour by the match referee. When Harmanpreet Kaur tossed the coin in the air, her PAK counterpart called tails, but the match referee on the mic called it heads, and the toss was given in PAK’s favour. In that game, there was a fiery moment between Kaur and PAK bowler Nashra Sandhu, but at the end of the day, India emerged victorious.

Sana Mir’s statement

(Credit- Cricexec)

PAK players often say politics and cricket should not be mixed. However, during the tournament, PAK’s former captain Sana Mir called Natalia Pervaiz, a player from Az*d Kashmir, which refers to Pak*istan-occupied Kashmir. Several personalities slammed Sana Mir for making a controversial statement during a World Cup cricket match.

No support from icons

Thanja Vuur, a South African actress, writer, and avid cricket follower, sparked controversy by pointing out the lack of support the South African team received from its male counterparts in the final against India. While Indian fans and Indian male cricketers supported the home crowd, the actress pointed out that icons of South African cricket were nowhere to be seen.

(Credit- MSN)

Vuur’s precise words were, “Who the hell showed up from South Africa? These ex-cricket players that you love from South Africa, the men... where are they? Oh, this event was not high-profile enough for them. The girls worked so hard. They did so well. But what does it feel like when none of these people show up? Did they just think we were gonna lose? Is that the message they’re sending?”

Rawal’s medal

(Credit- Women Cricket)

Last but not least, Pratika Rawal not receiving a medal at the ceremony despite her performances became a controversy among Indian fans. However, the matter was quickly resolved when Jay Shah intervened and ensured Rawal’s medal was on the way. On the night of the ceremony, as per ICC regulations, she was not awarded because she was not replaced in the team due to her injury.