Key Points
- Jemimah Rodrigues played a career-defining knock of 127 not out off 134 balls with 14 fours, helping India chase down 339 runs against Australia in the Women’s World Cup 2025 semifinal at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, on October 30, 2025
- India achieved the highest successful run chase in Women’s ODI history and won by 5 wickets with 9 balls to spare, ending Australia’s 15-match unbeaten streak in ODI World Cups since 2017
- The 25-year-old Mumbai batter, who was dropped from the 2022 World Cup squad, became only the second player to score a century in a Women’s World Cup knockout chase after Nat Sciver-Brunt
- Rodrigues and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (89) stitched together a match-winning 167-run partnership for the third wicket, pulling India back from 74/2 to 241/3
- India will face South Africa in the Women’s World Cup final on November 2, 2025, marking their third appearance in the final after 2005 and 2017
New Delhi: Jemimah Rodrigues delivered a performance for the ages as India stunned defending champions Australia by five wickets in the Women’s World Cup 2025 semifinal at the Dr. DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Thursday. The 25-year-old Mumbai batter’s unbeaten 127 off 134 balls powered India to their highest successful run chase in Women’s ODI history, overhauling Australia’s mammoth 338 with nine balls to spare. The emotional victory was particularly poignant for Rodrigues, who revealed in the post-match presentation that she cried all night when she was excluded from India’s 2022 World Cup squad. After taking a break to regroup mentally, she returned to the field with renewed determination, and her knock on Thursday vindicated her perseverance and resilience.
Record-Breaking Chase Against Defending Champions
Chasing 339 for victory, India faced an uphill battle from the outset when recalled opener Shafali Verma departed for an LBW in the second over off Kim Garth. The early setback put immense pressure on the home team, but Rodrigues, promoted to number three for the second time in three matches, displayed remarkable composure and intent from the very beginning. She combined intelligent strike rotation with well-timed boundaries to keep the scoreboard moving, ensuring India stayed in touch with the required run rate throughout the chase. The victory ended Australia’s formidable 15-match unbeaten run in ODI World Cups stretching back to 2017 and announced India as serious title contenders.
Masterclass Partnership with Harmanpreet Kaur
After Smriti Mandhana fell in unlucky fashion to a legside strangle that showed a spike on DRS review, having put on 46 runs with Rodrigues for the second wicket, captain Harmanpreet Kaur joined the Mumbai batter at the crease. What followed was one of the finest partnerships in Indian women’s cricket history, as the duo added 167 runs for the third wicket to wrestle control from Australia. While Kaur struggled initially with dot balls piling up, Rodrigues ensured the asking rate never spiraled out of control with her intelligent batting. Kaur broke free with a boundary through mid-on off Annabel Sutherland in the 16th over, and from that point, both batters complemented each other perfectly. The partnership took India from 74/2 to 241/3, with the pair reaching 189/2 after 30 overs, giving India a strong platform despite the massive target.
Crucial Contributions from the Middle Order
Just as India appeared to be cruising towards victory, Australia struck back when Harmanpreet Kaur (89) fell attempting to clear the longer boundary off Annabel Sutherland, with Ash Gardner taking an outstanding catch. The dismissal ended the match-defining partnership, but Rodrigues remained unperturbed. Deepti Sharma joined her at the crease and played a vital cameo of 24 off 17 balls, using intelligent placement and quick singles to maintain momentum during their 38-run partnership in 36 balls. When Sharma fell, Richa Ghosh entered and played her role to perfection, providing the acceleration India needed with 82 runs still required in 10 overs. Ghosh used the long handle effectively, clearing the straight boundary and sweeping the spinners for boundaries, racing to 26 before falling caught at short third man. Amanjot Kaur (15 not out off 8 balls) provided the finishing touches alongside Rodrigues, sealing the win with a boundary.
Composed Innings Under Immense Pressure
What made Rodrigues’ innings truly exceptional was her composure under pressure and her ability to pace the innings perfectly throughout the chase. Despite surviving three dropped catches during her innings, she never allowed the magnitude of the occasion to overwhelm her. Her 127-run knock was studded with 14 fours, but it was her running between the wickets and ability to rotate strike with singles and doubles that proved most crucial in the successful chase. In a revealing post-match interview, Rodrigues explained her mindset during the innings: “When I reached my fifty, when I reached my 100, I didn’t celebrate, because at that moment I looked at our hotel right here, and I said [to myself]: tomorrow morning, what would make me happier? Would it be a fifty? Would it be a hundred? No, it would be India winning. And I want to sleep with that smile, that we are playing the finals, and I’m waking up to get ready for the finals”.
All-Round Excellence Throughout the Match
Rodrigues’ contribution to India’s victory extended beyond her batting masterclass. During Australia’s innings, she showcased her athleticism and fielding prowess, taking a sharp catch at cover to dismiss Beth Mooney off Sree Charani’s bowling, and later affecting the run-out of Annabel Sutherland with a perfectly-timed throw from the edge of the 30-yard circle at extra-cover. Her all-round performance epitomized her value to the Indian team as a true match-winner capable of influencing games in multiple facets. Over the years, Rodrigues has become a crowd favorite not just for her cricketing skills but also for her enthusiastic presence on the field and engaging personality, though on this historic day, all celebrations were postponed in favor of the team’s ultimate goal.
Australia’s Formidable Total
Earlier in the day, Australia posted a mammoth 338 after winning the toss and electing to bat first, with opener Phoebe Litchfield producing an outstanding maiden World Cup century of 119 off just 93 balls. Despite India’s Kranti Gaud providing an early breakthrough by dismissing captain Alyssa Healy for just 5 runs, Litchfield counter-attacked brilliantly, reaching her half-century and then accelerating to her century in the 24th over off just 80 deliveries. Veteran all-rounder Ellyse Perry contributed a valuable 77 runs, putting Australia in a commanding position at 180/1 after 27.1 overs. However, India fought back with Amanjot Kaur breaking the crucial second-wicket partnership by dismissing Litchfield. Sree Charani then claimed successive wickets, removing Mooney and Sutherland, while Radha Yadav cleaned up the settled Perry. Late fireworks from Ash Gardner (63 off 54 balls) ensured Australia crossed 330, with Deepti Sharma finishing with two wickets while Sree Charani was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/49.
Cricket Legends Hail Historic Performance
The cricketing fraternity erupted in celebration following Rodrigues’ match-winning knock and India’s historic victory. Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif took to the social media platform X to praise the innings, writing, “The most memorable innings of my life. It was wonderful to watch Jemimah Rodrigues’ effortless cricket. She was in and out of the team, but never gave up. Local girl DY Patil is a star.” Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar also lauded the team’s performance, posting, “Well done Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur, you performed brilliantly. Shri Charani and Deepti Sharma, you kept the match alive with your bowling. Keep the tricolor flying high!” Former fast bowler Irfan Pathan wrote that watching the Indian women’s team chase the target in such a calm and composed manner was truly a pleasure, specifically highlighting the exceptional performances of Rodrigues and Kaur, along with Richa Ghosh’s crucial cameo.
BCCI and Mumbai Cricket Association’s Pride
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice President Rajiv Shukla expressed immense pride in the team’s achievement, stating, “Congratulations to the Indian women’s team on their impressive victory over Australia and reaching the Women’s World Cup final. A brilliant century by Jemimah Rodrigues a superb leadership, and a brilliant innings by Harmanpreet Kaur. This is a proud moment for Indian cricket.” The Mumbai Cricket Association also celebrated their local hero’s contribution, writing, “Jemimah Rodrigues showcased her talent with a brilliant century in the Women’s World Cup semi-final. A display of excellence, composure, and the spirit of a true Mumbaikar, leading India to victory on the world stage.” The praise from Mumbai’s cricketing body held special significance as Rodrigues delivered her career-defining performance at the DY Patil Stadium, located in her home city’s metropolitan region.
Historic Milestone in Women’s ODI Cricket
Rodrigues’ unbeaten 127 earned her the distinction of becoming only the second batter in Women’s World Cup history to register a century in a knockout match run chase, following England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt, who scored 148 not out. The successful chase of 339 represents the highest target ever overhauled in Women’s ODI cricket history, surpassing all previous records and demonstrating the evolution of batting standards in the women’s game. The victory also marked India’s qualification for their third Women’s World Cup final after appearances in 2005 and 2017, giving them another opportunity to claim their maiden world title.
Road to Redemption
India’s path to the semifinal was far from smooth, with the team experiencing three consecutive defeats during the league stage before barely scraping into the knockout phase. The turbulent journey made their semifinal victory against the unbeaten, tournament-favorite Australia even more remarkable and inspirational. Former India captain Mithali Raj had predicted before the match that India possessed the capability to end Australia’s winning streak, stating, “It’s a possibility to beat this side,” and Rodrigues’ heroics vindicated that belief.
Final Showdown with South Africa
India will now face South Africa in the Women’s World Cup 2025 final on Sunday, November 2, after the Proteas defeated England in the first semifinal played in Guwahati on Wednesday. The summit clash will feature two teams that have never won the coveted trophy, guaranteeing a new name will be etched on the Women’s World Cup. For Rodrigues and her teammates, the final represents the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance through setbacks, and unwavering belief in their abilities against the world’s best teams.
Symbol of Perseverance and Mental Strength
Jemimah Rodrigues’ journey from being left out of the 2022 World Cup squad to becoming the hero of India’s 2025 semifinal victory serves as a powerful testament to resilience, mental fortitude, and the importance of never giving up on one’s dreams. Her emotional revelation about crying all night following her 2022 exclusion, followed by her decision to take a break and return stronger, resonates with athletes worldwide who have faced similar setbacks. The 25-year-old’s ability to channel that disappointment into motivation and deliver when her country needed her most exemplifies the champion mindset required to succeed at the highest level of international sport. As India prepares for the final, Rodrigues’ innings will be remembered as one of the greatest performances in Indian women’s cricket history and a defining moment in the 2025 World Cup.
