In a match that will be remembered as one of the greatest run chases in women’s cricket history, India Women defeated seven-time champions Australia Women by five wickets in the second semi-final of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. The victory, orchestrated by a magnificent century from Jemimah Rodrigues, booked India’s spot in the World Cup final against South Africa.
Australia’s Innings: A Mammoth Total
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Australia quickly built a platform for a huge total.
- Phoebe Litchfield anchored the innings with a brilliant 119 off just 93 balls, her maiden World Cup hundred, which featured 17 fours and 3 sixes.
- Litchfield combined with Ellyse Perry (77 off 88 balls) for a commanding 155-run partnership for the second wicket.
- Late fireworks from Ashleigh Gardner (a fiery 63 off 45 balls) ensured Australia posted a massive score of 338 before being bowled out on the penultimate ball of the innings.
- The Indian bowlers struggled, though young spinner Shree Charani (2/49) was the most economical, while Deepti Sharma (2/73) picked up two wickets.
| Australia Women | 338 all out (49.5 overs) |
| Top Scorer | Phoebe Litchfield (119 off 93 balls) |
| Key Contributions | Ellyse Perry (77), Ashleigh Gardner (63) |
| Best Indian Bowler | Shree Charani (2/49) |
India’s Chase: The Jemimah Rodrigues Show
Faced with a record target of 339—the highest-ever in Women’s ODI history—India’s chase got off to a shaky start, losing openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana with the score reading 59/2.
- The Partnership: Walking in at No. 3, Jemimah Rodrigues joined skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and the pair mounted a spectacular fightback. They compiled a game-changing 167-run partnership for the third wicket, rotating the strike expertly and punishing bad deliveries.
- Harmanpreet Kaur played a crucial captain’s knock of 89 off 88 balls, accelerating the scoring rate before being dismissed by Annabel Sutherland in the 36th over.
- The Heroic Century: Rodrigues displayed incredible composure under pressure. Despite being dropped twice (on 82 and 106), she remained focused, bringing up her maiden World Cup century. Her magnificent unbeaten knock of 127 off 134 balls, laced with 14 fours, became the backbone of the chase.
- The Finish: After late cameos from Deepti Sharma (24) and Richa Ghosh (26), Rodrigues expertly guided the lower order. Amanjot Kaur (15 not out off 8 balls) struck the winning runs, sealing the victory with nine balls to spare.
| India Women | 341/5 (48.3 overs) |
| Result | India won by 5 wickets |
| Player of the Match | Jemimah Rodrigues (127* off 134 balls) |
| Key Partnership | Rodrigues & Kaur (167 runs) |
India’s victory ended Australia’s long unbeaten streak in World Cup knockouts and secured their third appearance in a Women’s ODI World Cup final, where they will face South Africa on Sunday.
You can watch highlights and reactions to this incredible chase in this video: Jemimah Rodrigues guides India to final. This video is relevant as it provides a recap of the thrilling match and Jemimah Rodrigues’ match-winning performance.
