Australia, led by returning skipper Alyssa Healy, had earlier posted a commanding total of 338, built around a composed century by Phoebe Litchfield.
Published Oct 30, 2025 | 11:05 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 30, 2025 | 11:28 PM
The triumph secured India’s place in the World Cup final, where they will face South Africa.
Synopsis: India scripted history on Thursday night, completing a record-breaking chase of 338 to defeat Australia by six wickets and advance to the ICC Women’s World Cup final. The victory ended Australia’s 15-match unbeaten run in World Cup knockouts and marked the highest successful chase in any men’s or women’s World Cup elimination match.
India made history at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Thursday night, 30 October completing the highest successful chase ever in a World Cup knockout match across both men’s and women’s cricket by overhauling Australia’s 338 to enter the ICC Women’s World Cup final.
The remarkable six-wicket victory ended Australia’s 15-match unbeaten streak in ODI World Cups. The last time they lost a knockout match was in 2017, also to India, in the semifinal.
As the winning runs were scored at 10.45 pm, tears and joy mingled across the stands. Jemimah Rodrigues was visibly emotional as Arundhati Reddy embraced her, while Captain Harmanpreet Kaur broke down in the dugout.
The sea of blue at DY Patil erupted, celebrating perhaps one of the finest matches in the history of women’s cricket.
Australia, led by returning skipper Alyssa Healy, had earlier posted a commanding total of 338, built around a composed century by Phoebe Litchfield.
Their bowling attack, featuring Megan Schutt and Jess Jonassen, appeared poised to defend the total with characteristic discipline.
India’s chase began under immense pressure. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma provided a steady start, with Verma replacing the injured Pratika Rawal in the line-up.
From there, Jemimah Rodrigues took charge, producing a masterful hundred. It turned the tide of the contest. India’s middle order contributed vital runs, maintaining composure through nervy passages of play. In the final overs, all-rounder Amanjot Kaur sealed the victory with a match-winning boundary.
Tears streamed down Jemimah Rodrigues’ face as she received the Player of the Match award at the DY Patil Stadium on Thursday night. “I just wanted to win this match for India. It’s not about my 100,” she said.
It was a moment that went beyond numbers – her first World Cup, a defining century, and redemption after once being dropped from the national team. “At one stage, I was so tired that I couldn’t find the strength to carry on. My fellow batters pushed me to stay calm, and I’m grateful for my faith in me,” she added.
Her innings, studded with 14 boundaries, was her highest ODI score and will be remembered as one of the finest in India’s cricketing history.
The win secured India’s place in the World Cup final, where they will face South Africa, who defeated England in the first semifinal.
