Historic Chase: India Stun Australia to Reach Women’s World Cup Final

Navi Mumbai, Oct 2025 : India scripted one of the greatest comebacks in ICC Women’s ODI World Cup history, chasing down a record 339 to beat defending champions Australia by five wickets in a thrilling semifinal at the DY Patil Stadium on Thursday.

The victory — achieved at 341 for 5 — marked the highest successful run chase ever in an ODI World Cup knockout, across both men’s and women’s cricket. It surpassed New Zealand men’s 299 for 6 against South Africa in the 2015 semifinal, etching India’s name in cricketing history.

With this triumph, India stormed into their third Women’s World Cup final, following their appearances in 2005 and 2017, while simultaneously ending Australia’s 15-match unbeaten streak in World Cups — a run stretching back to 2022.

The night, however, belonged to Jemimah Rodrigues, who played the innings of her life. The 24-year-old produced a match-winning unbeaten 127 — her maiden World Cup century and third ODI hundred overall. Promoted to number three just before walking in, she delivered a masterclass in composure and stroke play, anchoring India’s chase to perfection.

Jemimah found a perfect ally in captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who struck a fluent 89. Together, they added a monumental 167-run partnership for the third wicket — the highest stand against Australia in Women’s World Cup history and India’s best-ever in a knockout match.

This partnership eclipsed the previous Indian record of 137 between Harmanpreet and Deepti Sharma from the 2017 semifinal in England. It also ended Australia’s dominance of 150-plus partnerships in World Cup knockouts — all five prior such stands had been by Australian batters, including the 155-run partnership earlier in the day between Ellyse Perry and Phoebe Litchfield.

Earlier, Australia, electing to bat first, looked poised for another commanding total as they posted 338 for 6. Litchfield’s elegant 119 laid the foundation, supported by Perry’s well-crafted 77 and Ashleigh Gardner’s explosive 63 off 45 balls.

Despite the daunting total, India’s bowlers showed resolve. Nallapureddy Shee Charani (2/49) and Deepti Sharma (2/73) provided key breakthroughs, preventing Australia from crossing the 350-run mark, which at one stage seemed inevitable.

India’s chase, however, got off to a nervy start. Openers Shafali Verma (10) and Smriti Mandhana (24) fell cheaply, leaving India reeling at 47 for 2. But Jemimah and Harmanpreet steadied the innings, rotating the strike smartly and dispatching loose deliveries with authority. Their calm partnership turned the pressure back on the Australian bowlers, who looked increasingly bereft of answers as boundaries flowed in the middle overs.

After Harmanpreet’s dismissal, India still required 72 off the final 10 overs. But the lower order kept its composure. Deepti Sharma (24) and Richa Ghosh (26) chipped in with valuable contributions, while Amanjot Kaur’s unbeaten 15 off 8 balls sealed the chase in style.

As Amanjot struck the winning runs through extra cover, Jemimah dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her face, overcome by the enormity of the moment. The crowd erupted — India had pulled off the impossible.

The numbers underline the magnitude of India’s feat. The chase of 341 for 5 is now the highest in Women’s World Cup history and India’s highest in any Women’s ODI, surpassing their previous best of 266 for 8 against Australia in Mackay in 2021.

It also shattered several World Cup records. In Women’s ODI World Cup knockouts, it eclipsed England’s 221 for 8 against South Africa in the 2017 semifinal and Australia’s 181 for 1 against South Africa in the 2000 semifinal.

Remarkably, this was India’s third 300-plus successful chase in 2025 alone, following their 331-run pursuit against Australia in Visakhapatnam and 259-run chase versus England in Southampton earlier this year.

Australia’s record-breaking run came to a dramatic end. Their 15-match unbeaten streak — one of the longest in Women’s World Cup history — was halted by a fearless Indian side that refused to back down, regardless of the target.

India’s total of 341 for 5 now stands as the highest successful run chase in any ODI World Cup knockout — men’s or women’s — surpassing New Zealand’s 299 for 6 against South Africa in 2015 and Australia’s 289 for 4 against New Zealand in the 1996 quarterfinal.

For Jemimah Rodrigues, the night was not just about records. It was about belief, resilience, and the defining moment of a career that had promised much and finally delivered on the grandest stage.

As India celebrated under the Navi Mumbai floodlights, one thing was clear — this was more than just a semifinal win. It was a statement: the new powerhouse of women’s cricket had arrived.

Team Maverick.