In a thrilling semi-final clash at the ICC Women’s World Cup held in Navi Mumbai, India scripted a historic victory over the defending champions Australia, chasing down a massive target of 339 runs to win by five wickets. The match will be remembered as one of the greatest in women’s cricket history, not only for the record-breaking nature of the chase but also for the extraordinary performances that defined the encounter. Central to India’s memorable win was Jemimah Rodrigues, whose unbeaten century anchored the team’s remarkable pursuit, supported ably by captain Harmanpreet Kaur.
Australia had set a daunting total of 338 runs for 9 wickets in their 50 overs, largely thanks to a brilliant century from their young opener Phoebe Litchfield. The 22-year-old left-hander, who had been relatively quiet throughout the tournament, unleashed an aggressive and well-timed innings of 119 runs off 93 balls. Litchfield’s dominance was evident as she targeted the off side with precision, producing 15 fours and 3 sixes, most of her runs coming from elegant lofted drives that cleared the in-field with ease. Her innings provided Australia a solid platform and, at one point, it seemed like they would post an unassailable total on the good batting surface.
However, after Litchfield’s dismissal, Australia’s batting faltered. Three mini-collapses saw the team lose quick wickets, falling from 220 for 2 to 265 for 6, and ultimately being bowled out for 338. Costly errors, including three needless run outs and crucial dropped catches, hampered the Australian effort, denying them the chance to push past 350, a target that would have been far more challenging for India to chase. Captain and wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy, who had returned from injury for this game, was involved in two critical missed chances that proved costly for her side.
India’s response was led by Jemimah Rodrigues, who walked in early in the innings with the team facing the daunting task of chasing one of the highest totals ever in a women’s one-day international. Despite early setbacks, including the dismissal of opener Smriti Mandhana via a successful Australian review, Rodrigues showcased remarkable composure and determination. She started aggressively, scoring at nearly a run-a-ball and reaching 75 runs with 10 boundaries to her name. Her approach was bold, taking the initiative to keep the scoreboard ticking while the rest of the lineup found their rhythm.
Joining her at the crease was the experienced Harmanpreet Kaur, who after a slow start, built a steady and crucial innings, eventually contributing 89 runs off 88 balls. The two batters forged a vital 167-run partnership that steadied India’s chase and kept them on track towards the mammoth target. Their partnership was the backbone of the innings, blending Rodrigues’s attacking flair with Harmanpreet’s more measured approach.
The match took a tense turn when Harmanpreet was dismissed with India still needing 113 runs to win. At that point, the pressure mounted, but Rodrigues remained unfazed. Showing immense mental strength, she kept the chase alive and ensured the team did not falter in the crucial stages. Her concentration and shot selection were exemplary as she navigated through the final overs. Rodrigues’s innings was not without drama; she survived two dropped catches, both by Australia’s captain Alyssa Healy, which proved pivotal in the outcome. One of these drops occurred when Rodrigues was on 82, and the reprieve allowed her to regain momentum and continue scoring freely.
With support from the lower order—most notably Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, and Amanjot Kaur—Rodrigues guided India over the line with nine balls to spare. Amanjot Kaur sealed the victory by hitting the winning runs, triggering euphoric celebrations among the Indian players and the home crowd. Rodrigues, overwhelmed by the magnitude of the achievement, was seen shedding tears of joy as her teammates rushed onto the field to congratulate her. This victory not only secured India’s place in the World Cup final but also marked the highest successful chase in the history of women’s ODI cricket.
Reflecting on her performance, Rodrigues described the win as a dream come true and expressed relief at overcoming the anxiety that had plagued her throughout the tournament. Despite being dropped early in the competition after two low scores, Rodrigues’s resilience and determination saw her rise to