Kashmir, October 31, 2025 — In a thrilling display of resilience and brilliance, the Indian women’s cricket team etched their name in history by defeating defending champions Australia by five wickets in the second semifinal of the ICC #WomensWorldCup2025 at the DY Patil Sports Academy. Jemimah Rodrigues’ maiden World Cup century proved to be the cornerstone of one of the greatest run chases in women’s ODI cricket, propelling @BCCIWomen into their third final appearance.Australia, aiming to extend their dominance with a seventh title, won the toss and elected to bat first, posting a formidable 338 all out in 50 overs. Opener Phoebe Litchfield lit up the innings with a stunning maiden World Cup century of 119, supported by half-centuries from Ellyse Perry (77) and Ashleigh Gardner (63). The Australian batting lineup showcased their depth, but India’s bowlers, led by Shree Charani (2-49) and Deepti Sharma (2-73), kept the scoring in check during crucial phases.The chase was no less dramatic. India lost openers Shafali Verma (10) and Smriti Mandhana (24) early to pacer Kim Garth, leaving them at 52 for 2. Enter Jemimah Rodrigues, who anchored the innings with a composed and unbeaten 127 off 134 balls—her first #WomensWorldCup hundred and only the second in a knockout chase after England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt in 2022.
Rodrigues joined forces with captain Harmanpreet Kaur for a match-defining 167-run third-wicket partnership, with Harmanpreet falling just short of a century on 89 off 88 balls.The duo’s stand, which included the highest partnership for India in World Cup knockouts (surpassing the 137-run effort from 2017), broke the back of the chase. Despite a brief wobble after Harmanpreet’s dismissal—with India at 226 for 3—Amanjot Kaur and Richa Ghosh provided the finishing touches. Kaur smashed boundaries to seal the win with nine balls to spare, as India reached 341 for 5 in 48.3 overs.Rodrigues, named Player of the Match, was emotional in the post-match presentation, crediting her teammates and support staff. “This is for the team and the fans who believed in us,” she said, her voice breaking. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur echoed the sentiment: “Jemimah’s knock was special—she wanted to do this for the team. We’re ready to bring the cup home!”This victory marks India’s highest successful chase in women’s ODIs (339) and ends Australia’s streak in semifinals. The road to the final hasn’t been easy; India overcame early tournament jitters to top their group, showcasing superb teamwork across batting, bowling, and fielding. Rodrigues’ fielding prowess was evident too—a sharp catch to dismiss Beth Mooney and a vital run-out of Annabel Sutherland.India now awaits the winner of the first semifinal between South Africa and New Zealand in Sunday’s grand finale at the same venue. With the home crowd roaring,
@JemiRodrigues and her teammates are one step away from glory. Take a bow, Team India! Into the finals—bring the cup home!
Match Scorecard Highlights:
| Team | Score | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|
| Australia Women | 338 all out (50 overs) | P. Litchfield 119, E. Perry 77, A. Gardner 63 |
| India Women | 341/5 (48.3 overs) | J. Rodrigues 127*, H. Kaur 89, A. Kaur 25* |
