Thursday 30 / October / 2025
Jemimah Rodrigues compiled a stunning century as India beat Australia to clinch their place in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 Final.
Scoring 119 off 93 deliveries, the innings saw India chase down a record down a record total in Women's ODI history.
The 25-year-old put in a magnificent effort with the bat, scoring her first Cricket World Cup century in India's chase at Dr. DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
Jemimah would stitch together a crucial partnership with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur to keep India in the contest against Australia.
Earlier, a smart tactical DRS employed by skipper Alyssa Healy helped Australia register their second wicket.
The India opener had to walk back in the dressing room after the replay indicated she had nicked one behind off Kim Garth, claimed behind the stumps by Healy.
The wicket came after India had pushed back with the bat following an early dismissal as Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues combined for a second-wicket stand. The duo helped India cross past the 50-run mark in the powerplay.
The partnership would help India recover from Kim Garth notching the wicket of Shafali Verma as Australia opened their account with the ball in the semi-final.
In the first innings, Phoebe Litchfield scored a spectacular maiden Cricket World Cup ton as Australia secured a mammoth total of 339 against India.
After Australia won the toss and elected to bat first, Kranti Gaud struck early to nab the all-important wicket of Australia captain Alyssa Healy to provide India with their opening breakthrough.
However, Litchfield took a counter-attacking approach to bring up her half-century. She was duly complemented by veteran all-rounder Perry at the other end as the pair helped Australia cross the 100-run mark.
The left-handed batter brought her century in the 24th over off just 80 deliveries, putting the defending champions in firm control of the semi-final.
With Australia cruising at 180/1 after 27.1 overs, Amanjot Kaur picked the prized wicket of Phoebe Litchfield (119) to break a mammoth second-wicket partnership for the defending champions.
Sree Charani then, notched successive wickets, removing Mooney, courtesy of a sharp Jemimah Rodrigues catch at cover.
The tweaker then dismissed Annabel Sutherland to reduce Australia to four wickets down in the semi-final.
Ellyse Perry (77), who had held her end for the majority of Aussie innings, would then succumb to Radha Yadav, who cleaned up the former.
Jemimah Rodrigues continued to contribute in the field as she affected the run-out of Annabel Sutherland with a well-timed throw from the edge of the 30-yard circle at extra-cover.
Late fireworks from Ash Gardner, who scored 63 off 54 deliveries, ensured that Australia crossed the 300-run milestone.
For India, Deepti Sharma would close the innings with a brace. However, it was Sree Charani, who was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/49.
For Australia, captain Healy is back after a two-match break with Sophie Molineux replacing Georgia Wareham. On the other hand, India are without their in-form opener Pratika Rawal who has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury. Shafali Verma replaces her in the playing XI even as Kranti Gaud and Richa Ghosh are back in.
Defending champions Australia and hosts India face each other for the second time in the tournament as they square off in the second semi-final of the ongoing World Cup.
This contest will decide as to who will take on the Proteas for the coveted trophy on Sunday, 2nd November in Navi Mumbai, after South Africa sealed their spot in the final, following a dominating win against England.
Australia finished their group stage campaign as table toppers, winning all but one rain-abandoned contest against Sri Lanka.
India, meanwhile, finished with seven points thanks to three wins and a no result.
The two sides had earlier met in Visakhapatnam, where Australia pulled off a run chase for the ages as they chased down India's 331-run target - the highest run chase ever in Women's ODIs.
