In a match that will be etched in eternity as one of women’s cricket’s greatest epics, India Women pulled off the impossible at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on October 30, 2025. Chasing a colossal 339 set by defending champions Australia Women, Jemimah Rodrigues’ unbeaten 127 off 134 balls became the cornerstone of a thrilling five-wicket triumph in 48.3 overs, with nine balls to spare. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s battling 89 laid the foundation, but it was Rodrigues’ poise under pressure that shattered records and Australia’s 15-match unbeaten World Cup streak. This wasn’t merely a semi-final win; it was India’s bold declaration of intent in their home World Cup, storming into the final against South Africa on November 2 and guaranteeing a first-time champion. As tears flowed from Rodrigues post-match, revealing her mental health battles and daily struggles leading up to this, the victory resonated deeper, inspiring millions and proving resilience trumps reputation. For cricket fans worldwide, this chase is the stuff of legends: from 62/2 to glory, a narrative of grit that demands rewatches and endless debates. Dive into our exclusive breakdown, backed by real-time insights from ESPNcricinfo and Cricbuzz, to uncover the magic behind this monumental upset.
Failed to load imageView link(Image: Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur in emotional embrace after the chase – Courtesy: ICC/BCCI)
Pre-Match Hype: Hosts vs Heptathletes in a High-Stakes Showdown
Australia Women, with seven World Cup titles and an unbeaten league stage, arrived as invincible favorites under Alyssa Healy’s leadership. Their batting arsenal, featuring prodigy Phoebe Litchfield and stalwarts like Ellyse Perry, had demolished opponents all tournament. Winning the toss and batting first on a batsman-friendly Navi Mumbai pitch with hints of seam under lights, they eyed a 350-plus total. Black armbands honored Australian administrator Ben Stokes, adding solemnity to the anthems.
India Women, fresh off a mixed league (three wins, two losses), carried the weight of home expectations and semi-final scars against Australia, including Harmanpreet’s legendary 171* in 2017. Shafali Verma’s inclusion promised fireworks at the top, while spinners Deepti Sharma and debutant Shree Charani targeted early breakthroughs. A brief rain delay post-powerplay only heightened the drama, turning DY Patil into a sea of blue flags waving for redemption.
Australia Women’s Batting Masterclass: Litchfield’s 119 Ignites 338, Yet Cracks Emerge
Rain interrupted Australia’s explosive start, but post-resumption, openers Litchfield and Healy (back from injury) unleashed havoc, racing to 79/0 in the powerplay with Litchfield’s audacious nine fours in 30 balls. Healy’s 22 ended via a chop-on to Charani, but Litchfield’s maiden World Cup ton (119 off 93, 14 fours, 3 sixes) propelled Australia to 220/3 by the 32nd over. Perry’s 77 and Ashleigh Gardner’s 63 fueled a 120-run recovery, but India’s middle-over squeeze via Deepti (2/73) and Radha Yadav restricted the finish. Australia collapsed to 338 all out in 49.5 overs, their highest World Cup score, yet vulnerable on a flat deck.
Key AUS Batting Stats:
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoebe Litchfield | 119 | 93 | 127.96 | b Amanjot Kaur |
| Ellyse Perry | 77 | 85 | 90.59 | c Ghosh b Deepti |
| Ashleigh Gardner | 63 | 68 | 92.65 | run out |
Bowling Highlights: Charani (2/49) and Deepti starred, conceding just 45 in death overs for three wickets. This total screamed challenge, but India’s chase turned it into history.
India Women’s Daring Pursuit: Rodrigues’ Anchor Turns Tide in Record Chase
Needing 339, the highest World Cup knockout target ever, India wobbled early: Smriti Mandhana (28) and Shafali (15) fell to Kim Garth’s swing (2/46), slumping to 62/2. Then, the Harman-Jemi axis ignited. Kaur’s 89 (8 fours, 2 sixes) rescued with elegant pulls and drives, while Rodrigues, dropped on 40 by Healy, transformed lifelines into legacy. Her 127* (10 fours, 2 sixes) blended finesse with firepower: a first six over extra-cover off Tahlia McGrath post-fifty, and a midwicket monster against Gardner. Their 140-run stand shifted momentum, but Kaur’s pull to deep midwicket (off Sutherland) at 202/3 sparked nerves. Richa Ghosh’s explosive 22 (15 balls, 1 six) boosted, though run-outs of Ghosh and Deepti (12) left 75 needed off 66 at 264/5. Amanjot Kaur’s unbeaten 15 (8 balls), capped by a winning off-side four, sealed the deal.
Key IND Batting Stats:
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate | Key Moment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jemimah Rodrigues | 127* | 134 | 94.78 | Unbeaten century; 167-run stand with Kaur |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | 89 | 88 | 101.14 | Rescue from 62/2; 2 sixes |
| Richa Ghosh | 22 | 15 | 146.67 | Quick six off Gardner |
Player of the Match: Rodrigues, whose knock silenced critics after her 2024 squad omission. Her post-match revelation: “I cried every day, but faith and team backed me through.” Pure inspiration.
Pivotal Shifts: Five Moments That Flipped the Script
- Charani’s Early Strikes: Dismissing Healy and Mooney, halting Australia’s powerplay surge and buying spin control. 2. Amanjot’s Litchfield Breakthrough: Yorker at 220/3 prevented 400, saving 80 potential runs. 3. Healy’s Dropped Catch: At Rodrigues’ 40, costing Australia 87 crucial runs in the chase. 4. Harman-Jemi Milestone: 140 runs from 62/2 to 202/3, neutralizing spin with strike rotation. 5. Amanjot’s Clutch Finish: Boundary under lights, echoing her earlier wicket and erupting the crowd.
These turns showcased India’s evolution from league inconsistencies to knockout poise.
Milestone Mayhem: Stats That Cement This as Cricket’s New Benchmark
Highest women’s ODI chase: 339 tops Australia’s 331 vs India (2025). First 300+ World Cup knockout success. Match aggregate: 679 runs, third-highest ever. Ends Australia’s 15-win streak since 2017 loss to India. Rodrigues’ ton: Highest Indian chase score in World Cups. Healy reflected: “338 was defendable, but Jemi’s nerve was unbreakable.” Gardner hinted at retirements, marking an era’s twilight.
X exploded with fervor: @Crick97924Lover’s scorecard post garnered buzz, while @indrosphere hailed “Jemimah made it look effortless!” #JemimahMania trended with 500K+ interactions, fans tweeting “From tears to triumph!”
Road to Glory: India vs South Africa Final Preview
India face a ruthless South Africa (125-run semi-win over England) in a Sunday blockbuster. Expect Deepti vs Kapp spin duel and Ghosh fireworks. For Harmanpreet, it’s 2017 redux; for Rodrigues, immortality. Will hosts lift the trophy? Share predictions below!
This triumph redefines boundaries, boosting women’s cricket’s global appeal. Bookmark for final updates and hit share to fuel the frenzy!
Jemimah Rodrigues’ epic 127* powers India Women to a record 339-run chase, beating Australia by 5 wickets in ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 semi-final. Highlights, stats, analysis & final preview vs South Africa. INDW’s dream run continues!
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Hashtags: #INDvAUS #WomensWorldCup2025 #JemimahRodrigues #INDW #AUSW #HistoricChase #TeamIndiaWomen #CricketFinal
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