Navi Mumbai: Jemimah Rodrigues delivered the innings of her life to script one of the greatest moments in the history of Indian women’s cricket. Their unbeaten 127 from 115 balls led India to a record 339-run chase against defending champions Australia at Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai and secured a place in the final of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.
It was a night of raw emotion, steely nerves and unforgettable cricket theatrics. India chased down the mammoth total with nine balls and five wickets to spare – the most successful chase ever in women’s ODI history – leaving the Australian camp stunned and the home crowd in raptures.
The win means India will now face South Africa in the grand final on Sunday, with both sides looking to lift their first ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup trophy.
Litchfield’s brilliance sets the stage
Australia started the game like the champions they are, scoring a total of 338 points. Phoebe Litchfield led the attack with a magnificent century, scoring 119 off 86 balls. She punished anything loose, especially the spinners, and seemed unstoppable for most of her innings.
Thanks to a 155-run partnership between Litchfield and the experienced Ellyse Perry (77 off 68), the Aussies were on the right track at one point. But after Litchfield was bowled by Amanjot Kaur attempting a scoop, India fought back.
Sree Charani and Deepti Sharma bowled smartly to stop Australia’s momentum by taking two wickets each. Despite Ash Gardner’s late fireworks – an incredible 63 from 45 balls with four sixes – Australia quickly lost their last few wickets and were bowled out a ball short of their 50 overs.
At 338 it still looked like a game-winning total. Most teams would have caved under the pressure. But this Indian side had other ideas.
A shaky start for India
India’s chase did not start smoothly. Shafali Verma showed early intent as she cracked the boundary over cover, but her dismissal – lbw to Kim Garth on the very next ball – brought an early silence in the stands.
Smriti Mandhana, the tournament’s top scorer, also failed to get going. She managed a slight lead for 24, leaving India struggling at 59 for 2.
At this point, Rodrigues and Captain Harmanpreet Kaur took over command. Calm, focused and quietly determined, they built a partnership that would be remembered for generations.
Rodrigues and Kaur rebuild India’s innings
The partnership between Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur was pure class – stable, calculating and executed with surgical precision.
Rodrigues took on the role of attacker and used deft touches and fearless attacks to reach her half-century in 57 balls. Harmanpreet, on the other hand, was composed and tactical, rotating the attack and waiting for loose deliveries to capitalize.
By day 30, India had reached 189 for 2, reducing the tally from 120 balls to 150 – still a daunting task, but the body language on the field told a different story. Rodrigues was dropped twice, once by Alyssa Healy, and each reprieve only made her more dangerous.
The duo’s 167-run partnership turned the game on its head. But when Harmanpreet (89 off 91 balls) missed a shot past Gardner in the 36th over, the equation once again tilted – at least briefly – in Australia’s direction.
Rodrigues stands still in the midst of the tension
Even as the wickets fell around them, Rodrigues held his nerve. She reached her third ODI century with a knock through the roof, raising her arms in a rare moment of emotional release. Her knock wasn’t just about running – it was about resilience, redemption and sheer willpower.
Deepti Sharma (24) and Richa Ghosh (26 off 16) made handy cameos and ensured that the offer rate never got out of control. When Ghosh was out with 29 points still needed, the tension was palpable.
But Rodrigues was unwavering. She found gaps, ran hard and kept the scoreboard ticking with clinical precision. Amanjot Kaur’s calm presence at the other end ensured that India did not falter under pressure.
With the crowd roaring at every run, Amanjot sealed victory with a boundary, sparking wild celebrations as India reached 341 for 5 in 48.3 overs.
Emotions and reactions after the game
The post-match scenes were full of tears, hugs and shouts of “India! India!” echoes through the stadium.
Harmanpreet Kaur, visibly emotional, said: “I don’t have the words to express myself. We have been working towards this for years. We have always believed that every player in this team can win a game in any position – and we proved that today. Jemimah was outstanding. She kept her nerve, took responsibility and finished the game for us.”
The captain emphasized that the team had already turned its focus to the final. “We have already started talking about the next game. Playing a World Cup final at home means everything. We want to give it back to our fans – they have been with us every step of the way.”
Alyssa Healy, the Australian captain, admitted her team was outplayed: “We didn’t do well with the bat, missing chances and not converting the ball. India played really well and held their nerve. It’s disappointing but we’ll learn from it. Phoebe was brilliant – she’s the future of our cricket.”
Her comments suggested an impending period of transition for Australia, with Healy also confirming she would not feature in the next ODI World Cup cycle.
Rodrigues: The comeback story of the year
It wasn’t just a decisive blow – it was the culmination of a personal journey. After being named player of the match, Jemimah Rodrigues broke down in tears as she reflected on her struggles. “I want to thank Jesus – I couldn’t have done this alone. It’s been a tough few months mentally. Last year I was dropped even though I was in good form. I cried almost every day on this tour. But today I just wanted to win it for India.”
She revealed that she only found out she would be batting at number 3 shortly before she entered. “I was literally in the shower when I was told that I would be batting at number three! But I told myself that this wasn’t about me, it was about helping India win.”
Her words resonated with fans throughout the stadium and online. Social media was flooded with emotional messages, with one fan tweeting: “Tears in my eyes listening to Jemimah’s interview. I couldn’t be happier for her.”
Results summary
Australia: 338 all out in 49.5 overs
(Phoebe Litchfield 119, Ellyse Perry 77, Ash Gardner 63; Sree Charani 2/49, Deepti Sharma 2/73)
India: 341/5 in 48.3 overs
(Jemimah Rodrigues 127*, Harmanpreet Kaur 89, Richa Ghosh 26; Kim Garth 2/46, Annabel Sutherland 2/69)
Result: India won by 5 wickets
