Advertisement

India deliver masterclass chase to stun Australia

cricket30 October 2025 17:15| © MWP
By:Antoinette Muller
Share

India booked their place in the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup by defeating defending champions Australia by five wickets in Navi Mumbai on Thursday.

In a tournament defined by bold intent and historic milestones, the hosts rose to the occasion once again, chasing down an imposing 339 to set up a final clash with South Africa on Sunday.

The chase was anchored by Jemimah Rodrigues, whose unbeaten 127 was a masterclass in clarity, composure, and control.

She combined with captain Harmanpreet Kaur for a 167-run partnership-the highest ever for India in a World Cup knockout.

The pair rotated strike, picked gaps, and accelerated with precision, putting Australia under sustained pressure.

“Today was not about my hundred - it was about making India win,” Rodrigues said after being named Player of the Match.

She spoke candidly about her personal struggles over the past year, including being dropped from the squad and battling anxiety. “I just stood still, and God fought for me.”

Once Harmanpreet departed, Rodrigues continued to marshal the chase, finding support from Richa Ghosh, whose 26 off 16 balls included two sixes and two boundaries.

Amanjot Kaur then stepped in to finish the job, striking boundaries in the final overs and carving the winning shot past backward point to send the stadium into delirium.

“We’ve crossed the line we’ve been chasing for years,” said Harmanpreet. “One more game to go.”

REWRITING HISTORY

Australia, meanwhile, were left to reflect on missed chances and a late collapse.

Their fielding faltered under pressure, with dropped catches and misfields compounding the challenge of defending a total in dewy conditions.

Captain Alyssa Healy acknowledged the team’s shortcomings and hinted at generational change ahead of the next World Cup cycle.

Australia’s innings had earlier promised a total well beyond 350.

Phoebe Litchfield’s century and Ellyse Perry’s 77 laid a solid foundation, while Ashleigh Gardner’s 63 off 45 balls added late momentum.

But India’s bowlers struck back in the final overs, with Shree Charani and Radha Yadav picking up crucial wickets to restrict the damage.

Despite a patchy fielding performance, India managed to keep Australia to 338 - the highest total ever posted against them in a World Cup.

The match was more than a semifinal - it was a statement.

India’s chase was not just statistically unprecedented; it was emotionally redemptive.

It marked a shift in power, a rewriting of history, and a moment of collective catharsis for a team that has long carried the weight of near-misses and heartbreak.

India will now face South Africa - playing in their first-ever final - on Sunday, 2 November, at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.

Both teams will be eyeing their maiden World Cup crown.

STATS SIDE BAR

Ashleigh Gardner’s Milestone
- 328 runs at an average of 82 and strike rate of 130.15
- First player to score 300+ runs from No. 6 or lower in a single Women’s ODI World Cup edition

300+ Totals in Women’s World Cup Knockouts
- 356/5 – Australia vs England, Christchurch, 2022 Final
- 338 – Australia vs India, Mumbai DYP, 2025 Semifinal
- 319/7 – South Africa vs England, Guwahati, 2025 Semifinal
- 305/3 – Australia vs West Indies, Wellington, 2022 Semifinal

Highest First-Innings Totals vs India in World Cups

338 – Australia, Mumbai DYP, 2025
Previous record: 288/8 – England, Indore, 2025

Successful 200+ Chases in Women’s World Cup Knockouts
219 – England vs South Africa, Bristol, 2017 Semifinal
India’s chase of 339 in 2025 was their first successful 200+ chase in World Cup history

Most Individual Centuries in a Single World Cup Edition
6 – Australia Women, 2025
5 – England Women, 1993
5 – England Women, 2017

India’s Left-Arm Spinners vs Australia (2025 SF)
Balls projected to hit stumps: 2/33 (ER: 4.71)
Other deliveries: 1/82 (ER: 7.45)
Total: 108 balls, 3 wickets, ER: 6.17

Deepti Sharma’s Bowling Record

2-73 – Most expensive figures in a Women’s World Cup knockout match
Surpassed Sophie Ecclestone’s 1-71 in the 2022 final

Australia: Phoebe Litchfield, Alyssa Healy(C)(WK), Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Alana King, Kim Garth, Megan Schutt, Sophie Molineux.

India Women: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Amanjot Kaur, Harmanpreet Kaur(C), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh(WK), Radha Yadav, Kranti Gaud, Sree Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur.

Advertisement