History was made at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai as the Indian women’s cricket team pulled off a record-breaking chase to topple defending champions Australia and book their place in the ICC Women’s World Cup final. In front of a raucous home crowd on October 30, 2025, Jemimah Rodrigues produced an innings for the ages, scoring an unbeaten 127 off 134 balls as India chased down a daunting 339-run target, finishing at 341-5 with nine balls to spare. This five-wicket win not only sent the seven-time world champions packing but also etched India’s name in the record books for the highest successful chase in women’s one-day international history.
The stakes couldn’t have been higher. Australia, with a formidable tournament pedigree and a 16-match unbeaten streak stretching back to 2022, were widely tipped to make yet another final. But India, fueled by grit, resilience, and a touch of magic from Rodrigues and captain Harmanpreet Kaur, flipped the script in spectacular fashion. The home side’s victory sets up a tantalizing title clash with first-time finalists South Africa, scheduled for Sunday, November 2, 2025, at the same iconic venue.
Australia’s innings had all the makings of a knockout masterclass. After winning the toss and opting to bat, opener Phoebe Litchfield dazzled with a fluent 119 off 93 balls, peppering the off side with 17 boundaries and three sixes. Her partnership of 155 runs with Ellyse Perry, who contributed a steady 77 off 88 balls, put the visitors in a commanding position. At 220-2, Australia seemed poised for a total well north of 350. But India’s bowlers, led by left-arm spinner Shree Charani (2-49), struck back in the latter stages, triggering two mini-collapses and limiting the Aussies to 338 all out in 49.5 overs. Three run outs and a late flurry from Ashleigh Gardner (63 off 45 balls) couldn’t prevent the defending champions from falling short of their own lofty expectations.
Chasing 339 in a World Cup semi-final? For India, it was uncharted territory. The team had never before successfully chased a 200-plus total in tournament history, and their previous best against Australia was 265. Early wickets added to the tension—Shafali Verma fell for 10, and Smriti Mandhana was caught for 24, leaving India wobbling at 59-2 in the 10th over. Enter Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur, who steadied the ship with a partnership that will be talked about for generations.
The pair put on a record 167-run stand for the third wicket—the highest for any wicket by India against Australia in World Cups. Rodrigues was the aggressor early, racing to 75 at a run-a-ball before shifting gears to anchor the chase. Harmanpreet, meanwhile, took her time to settle, reaching her half-century off 65 balls before accelerating to finish with 89 off 88, including 10 fours and two sixes. Their chemistry in the middle was palpable, each playing to their strengths and capitalizing on Australia’s uncharacteristically sloppy fielding.
Australia’s captain and wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy endured a night to forget, dropping Rodrigues on 82 and earlier giving Harmanpreet a reprieve on 10. Tahlia McGrath added to the woes with another dropped chance in the 44th over. “We did not finish off with the bat and we dropped catches in the field. We still hung in but we were outdone in the end,” Healy admitted after the match. Those missed opportunities proved fatal as Rodrigues and her teammates seized the momentum and never let go.
After Harmanpreet’s dismissal, with 113 runs still needed, Rodrigues took charge. She reached her hundred off 115 balls, becoming only the second batter to score a century in a Women’s World Cup knockout. Her composure under pressure was remarkable. “This has been really hard but it is a dream and this has not sunk in yet. It was not to prove a point but just to win this for India. We have always lost in these situations and I wanted to be there until the end to take us through,” Rodrigues said, fighting back tears after being named player of the match.
Deepti Sharma (24 off 17) and Richa Ghosh provided valuable support, but it was Amanjot Kaur who hit the winning runs, sparking wild celebrations both on the field and in the stands. The Indian players streamed onto the pitch, and Rodrigues—overcome with emotion—sank to the turf in tears as the realization of her achievement dawned.
The significance of this victory was not lost on the nation. Social media lit up with tributes from fans and celebrities alike. Kareena Kapoor shared photos on Instagram, hailing Rodrigues’ “fantabulous” knock, while Varun Dhawan called her “my hero.” Rishab Shetty tweeted, “What a moment for India! Our women’s team storms into the ICC #WomensWorldCup2025 Final with a thrilling win over Australia! Take a bow, @JemiRodrigues, that century was pure class!” Suniel Shetty, Arjun Rampal, and others echoed similar sentiments, celebrating the team’s unity, determination, and the record chase that has inspired a new generation of cricketers.
For Australia, the end of their reign was bittersweet. Phoebe Litchfield’s century was a bright spot, but the team’s inability to capitalize on a strong platform and their fielding lapses proved costly. “Good contest in the end. We did that to ourselves a little bit,” Healy reflected, acknowledging the missed chances and the pressure of knockout cricket.
India’s journey to the final has been one of redemption and self-belief. Rodrigues, who was dropped after two ducks earlier in the tournament, returned to script one of the greatest innings in World Cup history. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur summed up the team’s spirit: “I’m very proud, I don’t have words to express myself. Feeling great, we’ve been working for so many years. We have this trust that every player can win any match, in any situation. We made some mistakes in this tournament, but we’ve been learning from these mistakes. We kept telling ourselves to be there for the team.”
As the cricketing world turns its attention to Sunday’s final against South Africa, one thing is certain: this Indian team has already achieved something extraordinary. With the defending champions dethroned and a new name set to be etched on the trophy, anticipation is at a fever pitch. Will Rodrigues and her teammates seize the ultimate prize? The stage is set for another unforgettable chapter in women’s cricket.
