Women’s Volleyball AVC Nations Cup runs from 7–14 June in Hanoi, with top honours and Asian Championship qualification on the line.
The stage is set in Hanoi, Vietnam, for the 2025 AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup, as ten national teams prepare to battle it out from 7th to 14th June for regional supremacy and a coveted spot in the 2026 AVC Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship. Among them is India, looking to return to the podium after a fifth-place finish last year.
Tournament Overview
Organized by the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC), the Women’s Nations Cup is an important tier-two competition designed for emerging volleyball nations. While it may not feature Asia’s top-ranked sides like Japan, China, or Thailand, the Nations Cup offers a critical pathway for developing teams to gain international experience and move up the ranks.
This year’s event will be hosted by Vietnam in the capital city of Hanoi. Vietnam, currently ranked 32nd in the world, are also defending champions, having won the 2023 edition with a dominant display on home soil.
Format and Pools
The tournament features two pools in the group stage:
Pool A
- 🇻🇳 Vietnam (World Rank: 32)
- 🇮🇳 India (53)
- 🇦🇺 Australia (55)
- 🇹🇼 Chinese Taipei (45)
- 🇭🇰 Hong Kong (60)
Pool B
- 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan (31)
- 🇵🇭 Philippines (52)
- 🇮🇷 Iran (57)
- 🇮🇩 Indonesia (54)
- 🇲🇳 Mongolia / 🇳🇿 New Zealand (No official world rank listed)
The top two teams from each pool will qualify for the semifinals, with the tournament winner securing qualification for the 2026 AVC Championship. All matches will be streamed live on Volleyball TV.
India’s Path and Fixtures
India’s women’s volleyball team will begin their campaign on 8th June and play four crucial matches in as many days. Here’s how their schedule looks:
- 8 June: vs 🇭🇰 Hong Kong
- 9 June: vs 🇦🇺 Australia
- 11 June: vs 🇻🇳 Vietnam
- 12 June: vs 🇹🇼 Chinese Taipei
India’s best chance to qualify for the semifinals lies in securing wins over Hong Kong, Australia, and possibly Chinese Taipei, while hoping to at least challenge Vietnam in their toughest matchup.
World Rankings Snapshot (Top Contenders)
India enters the tournament ranked 53rd, only slightly behind the Philippines and Taipei, and well-matched with Australia and Indonesia. With small margins separating many of these sides, every set and point could be decisive.
India’s Performance History at AVC Nations Cup
India has been a consistent participant in the AVC Nations Cup since its inception in 2022. Here’s how they’ve fared so far:
- 2022: 🥈 Silver Medalists (Runners-up to Vietnam)
- 2023: 4th place
- 2024: 5th place
After a stunning silver medal debut in 2022, the team has seen a slight decline but remains competitive. This year, the goal is clearly to return to the semifinals and challenge for a medal.
India’s Squad for 2025
India has named a young, promising 14-member squad that blends international experience with rising domestic talent.
Setters
- Devika Devarajan
- Amitha Prasanth
Middle Blockers
- Shilpa Sindhu
- Anna Matthew
- Ananya Sree Pullari
- Abitha Anilkumar
Universal Players
- Anagha Radhakrishnan
- Kavita
- Ayushi Bhandari
Outside Hitters
- Anusree Kambrath Poyilil
- Shaalini Saravanan
- Ezhilmathi D Palanivel
Liberos
- Sivapriya Govind
- Ananya Das
This roster reflects India’s emphasis on developing all-round versatility, with multiple universals and strong attacking options in both the outside hitter and middle blocker categories.
Key Players to Watch
- Devika Devarajan: A smart setter and playmaker, Devika’s control over tempo will be key in India’s transition play.
- Anagha Radhakrishnan: As a universal, Anagha’s ability to switch roles and deliver under pressure adds tactical flexibility.
- Shaalini Saravanan: One of India’s most powerful hitters, her performance at the net could be a game-changer.
- Sivapriya Govind: The libero will anchor the Indian defense. Her ability to read the game and initiate counterattacks will be crucial.
India will aim to begin strong against Hong Kong and Australia. Wins in these opening matches would significantly boost semifinal hopes before the sterner tests against Vietnam and Chinese Taipei.
Given the closely matched world rankings across Pool A, especially between India, Taipei, and Australia, set ratios and point differentials could become tiebreakers — making every rally important.
Should India reach the semifinals, they will likely face either Kazakhstan or Philippines from Pool B — both beatable yet formidable opponents.
Expectations and Goals
With a rejuvenated squad, balanced rankings across the pool, and a relatively open field, India has a real opportunity to return to the top four. Achieving a medal finish and qualifying for the 2026 AVC Championship would be a big step forward for Indian women’s volleyball.
While the defending champions Vietnam will be favourites in Pool A, India’s focus must remain on executing the basics, building momentum early, and showing composure in crunch moments — something that eluded them in last year’s close losses.
Where to Watch
All matches of the 2025 AVC Women’s Nations Cup will be streamed live on Volleyball TV, with updates also available through official AVC and national federation channels.
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