MUMBAI – India pulled off a result for the ages, toppling Australia in the second semi-final of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 at the DY Patil Sports Academy. Jemimah Rodrigues struck a brilliant unbeaten 127 to steer a record chase of 339, sealing a five-wicket win with nine balls left. The hosts knocked out the seven-time champions and set up a Sunday final against South Africa.
The DY Patil Stadium glowed in the evening light, and the noise barely dipped all night. More than 30,000 fans, many waving the tricolour, turned the ground into a wall of sound.
When Amanjot Kaur sliced the winning boundary through point off Tahlia McGrath, Rodrigues sank to her knees in tears. Australia’s 15-match World Cup streak ended, and captain Alyssa Healy faced a hard debrief after a campaign that promised dominance but faltered under pressure.
Australia Launch Big to Post 338
Australia blasted 338 for 8 in 50 overs, a total that recalled their 1997 semi-final surge against New Zealand. Phoebe Litchfield, only 22, hammered 119 off 97 balls, her third ODI hundred and first in a World Cup. The left-hander mixed class and daring, drilling the covers, ramping over slip, and flicking Deepti Sharma for a soaring six.
Ellyse Perry backed her up with 77 off 78, all calm control and clean striking. Their 162-run stand for the third wicket had India rattled and exposed some early looseness with the ball. Renuka Singh, usually steady, went for 62 in her 10. Shree Charani offered a brief check with 2 for 49, nailing Perry with a yorker that snuck under the bat.
India clawed back, then Ashleigh Gardner lit the fuse again. She belted 63 off 54 with four sixes, including a monster over midwicket off Radha Yadav that tested the lights. Her late charge lifted Australia well beyond 300 and shifted the mood in the box to talk of a chase too tall. Deepti Sharma’s two wickets in the final over trimmed the margin, but Australia’s depth shone. The hosts needed their finest pursuit.
Shaky Start Tests India’s Nerves
The chase of 339, the highest ever in women’s ODIs, began with purpose. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma put on 46 for the opening stand. Mandhana’s fluent 28 off 32 set a smart tempo. Australia hit back. Annabel Sutherland banged in a sharp bouncer to dismiss Verma for 22, the decision confirmed on DRS, with Healy sharp behind the stumps.
Mandhana fell soon after, edging McGrath to slip for 28, and India were 52 for 2. Harmanpreet Kaur walked in and steadied the mood, but jitters returned. Richa Ghosh miscued Gardner to deep midwicket, then Deepti Sharma was bowled by Sutherland first ball. At 120 for 4 in the 25th over, India still needed 219. The tension was real. Memories of 2017 and 2022 hung heavy.
What came next flipped the match. Rodrigues and Harmanpreet stitched a 167-run partnership for the fifth wicket that turned the contest on its head. Rodrigues had early luck, put down by Healy on 12 and by Perry on 45. She made those chances count. The Mumbai batter, overlooked last year, compiled a calm, unbeaten 127 from 134 balls, with nine fours and three sixes.
She worked the spinners with smart singles, then shifted gears when needed. Her first six came with a lofted cover drive off McGrath that cleared the rope with ease. “It wasn’t about the fifty or the hundred,” she said after play, voice breaking. “It was about winning for India. God rewards honest intent, and that is what I had today.”
Harmanpreet found her timing, too. The captain struck 89 off 92, mixing power and placement. A pulled six off Sutherland rang around the ground, and a neat flick through midwicket drew a roar. The run rate dipped under eight, and their composure carried the chase. Rodrigues punched back-to-back boundaries off Gardner late, and the belief turned into certainty.
Calm Finish and Emotional Scenes
With 32 needed off the last three overs, Amanjot Kaur arrived cool and clear. She finished 18 not out and kept the chase tidy. Her crisp cut through point sealed it and sparked celebrations. India reached 341 for 5 in 48.3 overs, surpassing the previous record chase of 311 set by India against England in 2017.
Rodrigues took Player of the Match honours, wearing a black armband in tribute to young player Ben Austin, who passed away earlier in the day. She dedicated the knock to her parents and coaches. “I was dropped last year. This is for every doubter and every supporter. We have waited a long time.” Harmanpreet, smiling through the fatigue, said, “Anyone can win a match on their day. We have learned, now we will finish the job.”
Healy was gracious in defeat and looked to the future. “Someone stood up every game, but they were better today. There are exciting times ahead for the young Aussies.” Australia’s semi-final exit stings, but their haul of seven titles still towers over the field.
India’s chase, the biggest in women’s ODI history, sends them into a final with South Africa carrying belief and momentum. Rodrigues has become the heartbeat of this side. The team looks united and unflinching. The trophy finally feels within reach.
