KEY POINTS
- India chased down 339, winning by 5 wickets with 9 balls to spare.
- Jemimah Rodrigues starred with an unbeaten 127, leading the chase.
- Litchfield’s 119 and Perry’s 77 powered Australia to 338.
- Key contributions from Kaur, Sharma, and Ghosh sealed the win.
NAVI MUMBAI, India: In a thrilling semi-final, the India Women’s team booked their place in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 final, defeating the mighty Australia by five wickets with nine balls to spare at Navi Mumbai on Thursday.
India will face South Africa in the final of World Cup 2025 on Sunday, November 2.
Chasing a daunting target of 339, India reached 341/5 in 48.3 overs, with a sensational unbeaten knock of 127 from Jemimah Rodrigues anchoring the chase.
Australia posted an imposing total of 338/10, thanks to a brilliant 119 off 93 balls by Phoebe Litchfield and a crucial 77 from Ellyse Perry.
However, the Australian total was not enough to stop India, as Harmanpreet Kaur (89) and Rodrigues added crucial partnerships.
India’s chase was a clinical display of batting depth, with Deepti Sharma (24) and Richa Ghosh (26) playing valuable cameos to finish the game with nine balls to spare.
Despite early wickets, including the dismissals of Shafali Verma (10) and Smriti Mandhana (24), India’s middle order was in full control.
Rodrigues’ steady knock and Kaur’s calculated aggression made the chase look manageable, with Amanjot Kaur’s fiery 15* off 8 balls adding to the momentum.
Australia’s bowling attack, led by Kim Garth and Annabel Sutherland, was unable to halt the Indian charge, with Sutherland claiming two wickets, including Kaur’s.
However, it was India’s strong batting performance and tactical approach that ultimately sealed their five-wicket win, sending them into the final.
