Daijiworld Media Network - Navi Mumbai
Navi Mumbai, Oct 30: India produced a thrilling performance to chase down a formidable 339-run target, defeating Australia by five wickets in a pulsating ICC Women’s ODI World Cup semifinal at DY Patil Stadium. Jemimah Rodrigues starred with an unbeaten 127, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur contributed a classy 89, guiding India to a sensational victory and a summit clash with South Africa.
Rodrigues and Kaur combined for a match-defining 167-run partnership, with Rodrigues hitting 14 boundaries in her 134-ball knock and Kaur smashing 10 fours and 2 sixes off 88 deliveries. India finished at 341/5 in 48.3 overs, just surpassing Australia’s 338 all out, which had been built on Phoebe Litchfield’s sparkling 117 off 93 balls.
Australia had looked on course for a mammoth total, with Litchfield, Ellyse Perry (77), and Ashleigh Gardner (63) posting half-centuries to propel the visitors to 265/5 in 42 overs. However, India’s bowlers fought back, with Deepti Sharma claiming two wickets in consecutive deliveries in the final over to restrict Australia to 338 in 50 overs.
India’s chase got off to a shaky start as Shafali Verma, a last-minute replacement for the injured Pratika Rawal, lasted just six balls for 10 runs. Smriti Mandhana contributed 24 before being dismissed via UltraEdge off Kim Garth’s tight spell (2-29).
The momentum shifted when Rodrigues joined Kaur at the crease. Rodrigues showcased a full array of shots—cuts, drives, sweeps—and ran hard between the wickets, reaching her fifty in 57 balls. Kaur anchored the innings, scoring her fifty off 65 balls before accelerating with boundaries and sixes. India maintained parity with Australia, reaching 189/2 in 30 overs.
Kaur was eventually dismissed for 89, miscuing a pull shot off Sutherland, but Rodrigues continued her masterclass, supported by Deepti Sharma and later Richa Ghosh. Rodrigues reached her maiden World Cup century off 115 balls, a remarkable comeback after a modest start to the tournament. India needed 34 off the final six overs, and Rodrigues’s timely boundaries sealed the win.
Earlier, Australia’s innings had been bolstered by Litchfield’s aggressive 119, studded with 17 boundaries and three sixes, while Perry provided stability with 77. Gardner’s late flourish helped Australia cross 300, but tight Indian bowling in the final overs prevented a total beyond 338.
Brief Scores:
• Australia: 338 all out in 49.5 overs (Phoebe Litchfield 119, Ellyse Perry 77, Ashleigh Gardner 63; N Shree 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
This win marks India’s third appearance in a Women’s ODI World Cup final and sets up an exciting showdown against South Africa.