INDIA SHOCK AUSTRALIA TO ENTER WORLD CUP FINAL

New Delhi, Oct 31, 2025 : India ended Australia’s title defence and booked their place in Sunday’s Women’s World Cup final against South Africa after Jemimah Rodrigues crafted an unbeaten 127 to secure a thrilling five-wicket victory in the second semi-final on Thursday.

Chasing 339, India completed the highest successful run chase in women’s ODI history with nine balls to spare at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

Australia, who elected to bat, posted 338 all out, led by opener Phoebe Litchfield’s 119 off 93 deliveries. Litchfield put on a 155-run stand with Ellyse Perry and reached her hundred in 77 balls, striking 17 fours and three sixes. Perry and Ashleigh Gardner hit half-centuries, with Gardner’s 63 helping Australia cross 300 before they were bowled out with one ball left.

India fought back after Australia reached 159-1 at the halfway mark. Alyssa Healy survived an early drop but was bowled for five, while India missed another chance when Richa Ghosh spilled Litchfield on 102, after which the opener hit Deepti Sharma for back-to-back sixes. Litchfield eventually fell attempting a scoop off Amanjot Kaur.

In reply, Shafali Verma, returning in place of injured opener Pratika Rawal, fell for 10 and top-scorer Smriti Mandhana departed for 24. But Rodrigues rebuilt with captain Harmanpreet Kaur, adding 167 for the third wicket. Harmanpreet made 89 before Annabel Sutherland ended her innings, but Rodrigues, dropped on 82 and again on 106, steered India home with 14 fours in a composed knock.

“It just feels like a dream and it’s not sunk in yet,” Rodrigues said, wiping tears after receiving the player-of-the-match award.

Australia had won 15 consecutive matches at Women’s ODI World Cups before the defeat. Their last loss in the tournament came against India in the 2017 semi-final. They also chased a record total in a 661-run league-stage match against India earlier this tournament.

“We did not finish with the bat well, did not bowl that great, dropped chances in the field,” Healy said. “Ultimately outdone in the end.”

India’s previous highest successful chase in ODIs was 265 against Australia in 2021 and they had never chased a 200-plus target in a World Cup.

The hosts face South Africa in the final on Sunday, where a new world champion will be crowned.