India has done the unthinkable. They’ve stormed into the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 final after chasing down a record total to stun the seven-time champions Australia. The historic semi-final on October 30 at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium will be remembered for one name: Jemimah Rodrigues.
Key Takeaways
- India defeated Australia by five wickets to enter the World Cup final.
- Jemimah Rodrigues scored a match-winning unbeaten 127 runs.
- India completed the highest-ever run chase (339) in women’s ODI history.
- The win ended Australia’s dominant 15-match World Cup winning streak.
- India will now face South Africa in the final on Sunday, November 2.
An Impossible Target
Did anyone really believe it was possible? Australia won the toss, chose to bat, and put on a clinic. Powered by Phoebe Litchfield’s magnificent 119 and strong half-centuries from Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner, they posted a mammoth total of 338.
For any other team, on any other day, that would be game over. When India lost openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana early, the dream of a final seemed to be fading fast. The pressure was immense.
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The Match-Winning Partnership
But then came the fightback. Jemimah Rodrigues and Captain Harmanpreet Kaur stood tall against the world’s best bowling attack. They didn’t just survive; they dominated. Together, they forged a pivotal 167-run stand, India’s highest-ever third-wicket partnership against Australia.
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Kaur played a captain’s knock with a fiery 89, taking the fight to the opposition and shifting the momentum. But it was Rodrigues who anchored the innings, playing with a maturity far beyond her years to become the youngest centurion against Australia in Women’s World Cup history.
Expert Analysis
Cricket pundits are already calling this one of the greatest ODI matches ever played. According to The Guardian, this was a ‘stunning’ victory that ‘redefines the boundaries’ of what’s possible in women’s cricket. The focus is on the sheer audacity of the chase.
Experts point to the calculated aggression from Rodrigues and Kaur as the turning point. They didn’t just defend; they actively dismantled Australia’s game plan, proving that no total is safe in modern cricket.
Social Media Storm
Instantly, social media erupted. Hashtags like #INDvAUS and #JemimahTheGreat trended worldwide as fans celebrated the incredible win. The end of Australia’s 15-match winning streak became a massive talking point, with fans hailing the dawn of a new era.
Memes and messages flooded timelines, celebrating the team’s courage and Jemimah’s heroic century. This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement that sent shockwaves through the entire cricketing world.
Tournament Impact
So what does this all mean? India is now just one step away from glory. They will face a tough South African side in the World Cup final on November 2, right back at the DY Patil Stadium. After a performance like this, their confidence will be sky-high.
Can India carry this incredible momentum and lift the trophy? The entire nation will be watching. This victory has set up a blockbuster final that you simply won’t want to miss.