The sun was blazing, the stands were packed, and all eyes were on the ICC Womens World Cup 2025 semifinal — Australia vs India. Before walking out to bat, the Aussies thought that putting up a towering 338 on the board meant the game was as good as theirs. But Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Jemimah Rodrigues had other plans. In an unbelievable run chase, the Indian women scripted history to seal their place in the World Cup final.
#Final, 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗪𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘! 🇮🇳#TeamIndia book their spot in the #CWC25 final on a historic Navi Mumbai night! 🥳👏
Scorecard ▶ https://t.co/ou9H5gN60l#WomenInBlue | #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/RCo6FlbXSX
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) October 30, 2025
Litchfield–Perry’s Fireworks
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Australia lost Healy early. But then, the Litchfield–Ellyse Perry show began. Litchfield’s blistering 119 off 93 balls included 17 fours and 3 sixes, while Perry added a solid 77. Their 155-run stand for the second wicket had India on the back foot, and it looked like the match was slipping away.
However, the Indian bowlers fought back in the death overs. Shree Charani picked up 2 for 49, while Radha Yadav and Deepti Sharma struck crucial blows to restrict Australia to 338. Even Ashleigh Gardner’s 63-run blitz couldn’t push the score beyond India’s determined spirit.
India’s Innings: A Dream Chase
Chasing 339 was no easy task. India suffered an early jolt when Shafali Verma fell for 10. But Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues steadied the innings. Mandhana departed for 24, but Rodrigues found a perfect partner in captain Harmanpreet Kaur.
Together, they launched a counterattack that stunned the Aussies. Harmanpreet’s confident 89, studded with 10 fours and 2 sixes, gave India momentum. She fell just shy of a well-deserved hundred, dismissed by Sutherland for 89.
Jemimah the “Ice Queen” Unbeaten 127
At the other end stood the calm and composed Jemimah Rodrigues. Even after being dropped on 82, she capitalized brilliantly, anchoring the innings with maturity beyond her years. With small but vital partnerships with Deepti Sharma (24) and Richa Ghosh (26), Jemimah guided India closer to the target.
Finally, alongside Amanjot Kaur, she saw India home. Jemimah remained unbeaten on 127 — a knock that will be remembered as one of the greatest in India’s women’s cricket history — and took her team to the World Cup final in stunning fashion.