Devine names 'formidable opponents'

NEW Zealand captain Sophie Devine has identified co-hosts India and Sri Lanka, as well as defending champions Australia, as formidable opponents to face off against in the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup, starting next Tuesday.

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New Zealand, who won the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, are aiming to win the 50-over silverware after emerging victorious in the 2000 edition of the competition.

Sophie had earlier announced that she would step away from the format after the end of the upcoming World Cup.

“Every team will possess a different challenge, but we know the defending champions Australia are going to be pretty tough to beat. Playing them first up will be a great start to the tournament. India at home are also a huge threat, in terms of the support that they have and the depth of their group, and Sri Lanka as well, we've seen that playing at home is a real strength for them. Those three teams are certainly going to be difficult to come up against,” wrote Sophie in her ICC column yesterday.