Women's World Cup Semifinals: India thrash Australia in a massive chase

They said India couldn’t chase big totals. They said Australia were unbeatable. Jemimah Rodrigues didn’t listen. With every drive, pull, and glance, she rewrote the narrative turning 339 into a number forever tied to India’s spirit and belief. Her unbeaten 127 off 134 balls powered India to a record-breaking victory over seven-time champions Australia, sealing a place in the Women’s ODI World Cup final in front of a delirious home crowd at the DY Patil Stadium on Thursday.

India’s five-wicket triumph, achieved with nine balls to spare, wasn’t just a chase it was a statement. It ended Australia’s 15-match unbeaten run across two editions and carried India into their third World Cup final, where they will face South Africa on Sunday.

A night of belief and brilliance

This was more than a win; it was redemption. For a team that has stumbled from winning positions in knockout games, this was the night they stood tall. From 59 for two, Jemimah and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur built a monumental 167-run partnership that turned pressure into poise and doubt into dominance.

Harmanpreet’s fluent 89 off 88 balls (10 fours, 2 sixes) provided the perfect anchor. Together, they paced the innings with such control that the required rate never spiked dangerously. When the captain fell, the job was nearly done. Jemimah stayed till the end to finish what she had started.

Jemimah’s finest hour

Playing her first World Cup semifinal on home soil, the 24-year-old batted with grace and grit. She found the gaps effortlessly, punished loose balls, and ran with fierce intent. Even as fatigue crept in late in the innings, Jemimah dug deep, pausing between deliveries to gather strength before resuming her charge.

She was given two lifelines one on 82 when Alyssa Healy dropped a straightforward catch, and another on 106 but made them count in full. Each boundary that followed brought the crowd closer to history. When the winning runs were struck, Jemimah sank to her knees, tears glistening under the floodlights, a moment etched forever in India’s cricketing memory.

Early wobbles, then calm command

The chase didn’t begin smoothly. Shafali Verma, returning to ODIs after nearly a year, struck two boundaries but fell for eight. Smriti Mandhana (24) looked promising before edging behind Kim Garth. At 59 for two, the ghosts of past collapses seemed to lurk but Rodrigues and Harmanpreet had other plans.

The dew helped, the outfield was quick, and once both settled, they made batting look effortless. Harmanpreet’s lofted cover drive off McGrath and her clean six off Gardner lifted Indian hopes. The pair’s composure ensured Australia’s bowlers never regained control.

Australia’s strong start undone

Earlier, Phoebe Litchfield’s blistering 119 off 77 balls and half-centuries from Ellyse Perry (77) and Ashleigh Gardner (63) powered Australia to 338 a total that seemed commanding at first. Litchfield’s third ODI hundred featured 17 fours and three sixes, showcasing her exceptional timing and placement.

Her 155-run stand with Perry set up the innings perfectly, but India’s bowlers pulled things back. Shree Charani (2/49) bowled a superb third spell, removing Beth Mooney (24) and Annabel Sutherland (3) to prevent Australia from crossing 350. The visitors were bowled out with one ball remaining a small yet telling sign of India’s persistence.

Dream final awaits

As the players embraced, the DY Patil Stadium erupted into song and celebration. India had finally conquered the giants who had denied them so often before. Now, with South Africa waiting in the title clash, Harmanpreet’s team stands on the threshold of history.

If Thursday night was a glimpse of what belief can do, Sunday could be the night India’s women finally lift the World Cup that destiny has long kept waiting for.

Brief Scores:

Australia 338 in 50 overs (Phoebe Litchfield 119, Ellyse Perry 77, Ashleigh Gardner 65; Deepti Sharma 2/73, Shree Charani 2/49).

India 341-5 in 48.3 overs (Jemimah Rodrigues 127 not out, Harmanpreet Kaur 89; Kim Garth 2/46).