Team India booked their place in the final of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 with a thrilling five-wicket victory over Australia in the semifinal at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy on Thursday.
Chasing a daunting 339-run target, the “Women in Blue” displayed remarkable grit and composure, reaching 341 for five in 48.3 overs.
India’s chase began on a shaky note when opener Shafali Verma departed early for 10 off five balls, after striking two boundaries. Fellow opener Smriti Mandhana added 24 runs off 24 deliveries, including two fours and a six, before falling to the Australian attack.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur anchored the innings with a brilliant 89 off 88 balls, smashing 10 boundaries and two sixes. She was ably supported by Deepti Sharma, who contributed a quick 24 from 17 balls with three boundaries.
The star of India’s innings, however, was Jemimah Rodrigues, who guided the chase with an unbeaten 127 off 134 balls, featuring 14 boundaries. She found a steady partner in Amanjot Kaur, who remained not out on 15 from just eight balls, hitting two boundaries to seal India’s emphatic win.
For Australia, Kim Garth (2/46 in 7 overs) and Annabel Sutherland (2/69 in 10 overs) were the standout bowlers.
Earlier, Australia had posted an imposing total of 338 runs in 49.5 overs, powered by a stunning innings from Phoebe Litchfield, who scored 119 off 93 balls with 17 fours and three sixes. At 22 years and 195 days, Litchfield became the youngest player to score a century in a Women’s World Cup knockout match, and the second-youngest Australian to achieve a ton in the tournament’s history.
She joined an elite list of Australian batters — Alyssa Healy (170 vs England, 2022 final; 129 vs WI, 2022 semifinal) and Karen Rolton (107* vs India, 2005 final) — to score hundreds in World Cup knockout games.
Veteran all-rounder Ellyse Perry contributed a solid 77 off 88 balls (6 fours, 2 sixes), while Ashleigh Gardner added 63 off 45 deliveries with four fours and four sixes.
For India, Nallapureddy Charani led the bowling attack with figures of 2 for 49 in her 10 overs, while Deepti Sharma picked up 2 for 73 from 9.5 overs.
With this memorable win, India have not only avenged past heartbreaks but also booked a well-deserved spot in the Women’s World Cup 2025 final, setting the stage for a blockbuster finish.
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