Underneath the glittering lights of Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium, India stormed into their third Ladies’s World Cup closing with a panoramic five-wicket victory over defending champions Australia. Jemimah Rodrigues produced the innings of a lifetime, crafting a sensational 127* that anchored India’s report chase of 339 in a dramatic semi-final conflict.
With the win, India snapped Australia’s 16-match unbeaten streak, evoking recollections of Harmanpreet Kaur’s legendary 171 at Derby years in the past. The triumph now units up a high-stakes title showdown with South Africa on November 2.
Phoebe Litchfield Powers Australia to 338
Opting to bat first, Australia had been handed an early scare when Alyssa Healy was dropped by Harmanpreet Kaur. Nonetheless, Healy’s reprieve was short-lived as Kranti Gaud cleaned her up simply earlier than a rain interruption.
Phoebe Litchfield and Ellyse Perry then rebuilt with a commanding 155-run partnership for the second wicket. Litchfield, who survived a controversial bump-ball resolution on 62, made essentially the most of her luck to smash a panoramic 119 off 93 balls — her maiden World Cup century and the quickest ton ever recorded in a Ladies’s World Cup knockout match.
Perry performed a gradual hand with 77, whereas Ashleigh Gardner added a quickfire 63 as Australia posted a formidable 338 in 49.5 overs. For India, Shree Charani stood out with disciplined figures of two for 49, whereas Deepti Sharma chipped in with two late wickets regardless of proving costly.
Harmanpreet, Jemimah Script India’s Fightback
India’s chase started shakily as Kim Garth eliminated Shafali Verma early. Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues started rebuilding earlier than a pointy assessment from Healy noticed Mandhana caught down the leg facet for twenty-four.
Harmanpreet Kaur then joined forces with Jemimah, and the pair stabilized the innings with a report 167-run partnership — the best stand in opposition to Australia within the event’s historical past. Harmanpreet, dropped as soon as by Healy, made full use of her luck to hammer an imposing 89 off 92 balls earlier than falling to Annabel Sutherland, simply because the skipper was battling cramps.
At that time, India nonetheless wanted over 100 runs, however Jemimah’s composure ensured the momentum by no means slipped. Deepti Sharma’s run-out following a mix-up added strain, but India remained inside hanging distance.
Jemimah Finishes the Job in Model
Citing her maiden World Cup hundred off 115 balls, Jemimah continued to anchor the chase with poise. Richa Ghosh added a brisk 26 off 16 balls, taking up the Australian assault with two large sixes earlier than perishing to Sutherland.
With 34 runs required off the ultimate 5 overs, Jemimah took full management, slicing Sophie Molineux for 4 and driving India nearer to glory. She completed unbeaten on 127 off 134 deliveries, an innings studded with 14 boundaries. Amanjot Kaur sealed the victory within the forty ninth over with two consecutive fours, triggering wild celebrations within the Indian camp.
India’s sensational chase — the best ever in Ladies’s World Cup semi-final historical past — now propels them to the brink of future as they put together for a closing that might rewrite the nation’s sporting historical past as soon as once more.