Jemimah Rodrigues delivered a sensational performance, scoring an unbeaten 127 from 134 balls as India chased down a record 339-run target to secure a spot in the Women’s World Cup final after defeating Australia by five wickets in Navi Mumbai on Thursday.
Chasing 339, Rodrigues anchored the innings alongside captain Harmanpreet Kaur who contributed 89 from 88 balls ensuring India’s steady progress. Deepti Sharma scored 24 and Richa Ghosh added 26 to support the chase, allowing India to reach the target with nine balls remaining. India will face South Africa in the final.
Earlier, Australia posted a challenging 338 with Phoebe Litchfield scoring 119, Ellyse Perry 77, and Ashleigh Gardner 63. A key spell from Shree Charani, who took two wickets for nine runs in three overs, dismissed Beth Mooney and Annabel Sutherland, preventing Australia from scoring even higher.
Charani’s disciplined bowling helped India regain control despite other bowlers struggling on a flat track and a few fielding lapses increasing the challenge.
Australia had built a strong position at 220 for 2 before losing four quick wickets, with Gardner’s quick 63 from 45 balls pushing the total past 300. Australia were eventually bowled out for 338.
India’s captain Kaur missed an early catch off Alyssa Healy in the third over, but the Australian captain fell cheaply in the sixth over. Litchfield’s 22-year-old brilliance in her third ODI century set the tone for Australia’s big score. She displayed an impressive range of strokes, including reverse sweeps and lofted drives, finishing with 17 fours and three sixes.
Litchfield’s partnership with Perry added 155 runs for the second wicket before Litchfield was briefly dismissed incorrectly and recalled by the umpires. Perry contributed a valuable 77 off 88 balls including six fours and two sixes.
India’s bowling and fielding efforts were inconsistent early on, but Kranti Gaud removed Healy before a brief rain interruption. Despite some key wickets, bowlers like Renuka and Deepti Sharma struggled to maintain control, with Deepti finishing with two wickets for 73.
Rodrigues’ outstanding innings, however, proved decisive, guiding India through a historic victory and into the final.
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