Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra):
India’s women’s cricket team stormed into the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 final, defeating defending champions Australia by five wickets in a high-voltage semifinal at DY Patil Stadium on Thursday.
Led by a spectacular unbeaten century from Jemimah Rodrigues (127 off 134 balls) and a commanding 89 from skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, India successfully chased down a daunting target of 339 runs, setting a new record for the highest-ever successful run chase in women’s ODI and World Cup history.
The duo’s 167-run partnership rescued India from early trouble and laid the foundation for the historic victory. Rodrigues’ knock, laced with 14 boundaries, earned her Player of the Match honours, while Harmanpreet’s attacking innings included 10 fours and two sixes.
Late cameos from Richa Ghosh (26 off 16)* and Amanjot Kaur (15 off 8)* sealed the chase with nine balls to spare, propelling India into their much-awaited final clash against South Africa — guaranteeing a first-time World Cup champion on November 2.
Earlier, after opting to bat first, Australia posted 338 runs in 49.5 overs, powered by a sensational 119 from Phoebe Litchfield, who became the youngest player to score a century in a Women’s World Cup knockout match. Her innings, featuring 17 fours and three sixes, came at a strike rate of 127.95.
Litchfield shared a 155-run stand with Ellyse Perry (77 off 88 balls), giving Australia a strong start. Despite solid cameos from Ashleigh Gardner (63 off 45) and Kim Garth (17), Indian bowlers Shree Charani (2/49) and Radha Yadav (1/66) pulled things back late in the innings.
During India’s chase, early wickets of Shafali Verma (10) and Smriti Mandhana (24) put pressure on the hosts, but Rodrigues and Harmanpreet’s calculated aggression turned the game around. Rodrigues brought up her third ODI hundred — only the second Indian century in a World Cup knockout after Harmanpreet’s iconic 171* in 2017.
Despite a few late stumbles, India remained composed. With 10 runs needed off the final two overs, Amanjot finished the game in style, sealing a momentous win that will be remembered as one of India’s finest chases in cricket history.
Brief Scores:
Australia: 338 in 49.5 overs (Phoebe Litchfield 119, Ellyse Perry 77, Shree Charani 2/49)
India: 341/5 in 48.3 overs (Jemimah Rodrigues 127*, Harmanpreet Kaur 89, Kim Garth 2/46)
Result: India won by 5 wickets.
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