In one of the greatest nights in Indian cricket history, India Women pulled off the highest successful chase in Women’s World Cup history, defeating the mighty Australia Women by five wickets to storm into the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Final.
Set a daunting target of 339, India finished on 341/5 in 48.3 overs, thanks to a majestic 127 (134)* from Jemimah Rodrigues and a captain’s knock of 89 (88) by Harmanpreet Kaur. The duo shared a record-breaking 167-run partnership that turned what seemed like an impossible chase into an unforgettable triumph under the lights of Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium.
Batting first, Australia once again showed why they are the benchmark in women’s cricket. Phoebe Litchfield, just 22, produced a sensational 119 off 93 balls, combining classical strokeplay with fearless intent. Her innings, decorated with 17 fours and 3 sixes, became the fastest century in a Women’s World Cup knockout match.
Alongside her, veteran Ellyse Perry (77 off 88) anchored the middle overs, while Ashleigh Gardner (63 off 45) added finishing fireworks. Australia’s aggression never dipped they smashed 110 runs in the final 10 overs to finish on 338 in 49.5 overs, the second-highest total in Women’s World Cup knockout history.
For India, it was a long, testing day in the field. Young left-arm spinner Shree Charani was the standout with 2/29 from her eight overs, while Amanjot Kaur and Deepti Sharma chipped in with key breakthroughs. Despite a few missed chances, India managed to restrict Australia just short of the 350 mark a target still beyond any chase recorded in World Cup history.
India’s chase begins nervously
Facing an Australian attack led by Kim Garth and Annabel Sutherland, India’s openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana began briskly but fell in quick succession. Shafali (10 off 5) blazed two early boundaries before falling lbw to Garth, while Mandhana (24 off 24) was caught by Alyssa Healy off the same bowler.
At 33/2, India were wobbling. The stadium was tense, and memories of previous heartbreaks — the 2017 semifinal and the 2023 T20 World Cup loss loomed large. But then walked in Jemimah Rodrigues, joining her skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, and together they rewrote Indian cricket history.
Jemimah and Harmanpreet lead a fearless fightback
What followed was a partnership of belief, poise, and pure brilliance. Jemimah, batting on her home ground, began confidently with crisp drives and clever placements, reaching her fifty off 61 balls. Harman, meanwhile, started watchfully before unleashing her trademark power game, striking Gardner and King for consecutive sixes to signal India’s intent. The duo’s communication and calculated aggression turned the momentum completely. Every over chipped away at the target singles turned to twos, and the boundaries came exactly when needed. By the 25th over, their partnership crossed 100, and India reached 162/2, needing 177 more off 145 balls.
Jemimah was dropped twice once by Healy and once by McGrath and she made Australia pay dearly. In the 38th over, she brought up her third ODI century, raising her bat to a deafening roar from the crowd, but her reaction said it all no celebration, just focus. The job wasn’t done yet.
At the other end, Harmanpreet’s 89 came off 88 balls, a perfect blend of control and aggression. Their 167-run stand, the highest ever for any wicket against Australia in a Women’s World Cup, set the foundation for a record chase. When Harmanpreet mistimed one to Gardner off Sutherland at 226/3 (35.2 overs), Australia saw a sliver of hope. But India’s middle order, led by Deepti Sharma (24 off 17) and Richa Ghosh (26 off 16), ensured there was no collapse.
Richa, ever the fearless finisher, smashed an 83-metre six off Gardner a shot that flew into the stands and symbolized India’s confidence. She followed it with a four, keeping the asking rate under control. Deepti’s cameo provided momentum before a run-out ended her stay, but the damage was already done. With 40 needed off 33, Jemimah stood tall, calm, and in control. Even as wickets fell, she found gaps with surgical precision the cut through backward point, the scoop over fine leg, and those late dabs that defied Australia’s field placements.
When she guided Sutherland to the fence in the 48th over, India needed just four runs. The next delivery, a gentle push through covers, brought two, and with it history. India chased down 338 with nine balls to spare, sealing their place in the World Cup final against South Africa.
Records shattered in Navi Mumbai
- India’s 341/5 is now the highest successful run chase in Women’s World Cup history, surpassing England’s 305/3 against South Africa in 2017.
- Jemimah Rodrigues (127)* recorded the highest individual score by an Indian batter in a World Cup knockout match, surpassing Harmanpreet Kaur’s 171* from 2017.
- Harmanpreet (89) and Jemimah’s 167-run stand became the highest partnership in Women’s World Cup semifinals.
- It was also the first time Australia lost a World Cup knockout game after scoring over 300.
- India’s win ensured the first-ever Women’s World Cup final without Australia or England confirming a new champion will be crowned on Sunday.
As the final run was scored, the DY Patil Stadium erupted in unison flags waving, chants echoing “India, India!” across the stands. Harmanpreet hugged Jemimah tightly, tears in her eyes. For a team that had endured heartbreak after heartbreak in global semifinals, this was redemption, validation, and history rolled into one.
“It’s unreal. We’ve been working towards this for years,” said an emotional Harmanpreet post-match. “Jemimah was outstanding, the way she handled the chase was world-class. We always believed and today, we showed what belief can do.”
India vs South Africa: a final for the ages
The win now sets up a blockbuster final between India and South Africa two teams yet to win a Women’s World Cup title. Both have come agonizingly close in previous editions; now, one will finally lift the trophy. For India, the semifinal in Navi Mumbai wasn’t just a victory it was a statement. A team blending experience with youth, resilience with flair, had finally conquered the unconquerable.
From Kranti Gaud’s early strike with the ball to Jemimah Rodrigues’ final cut through the offside — this was Indian cricket at its most fearless.
Final Score: 🇦🇺 Australia Women – 338 (49.5 overs)
(Phoebe Litchfield 119, Ellyse Perry 77, Ashleigh Gardner 63; Shree Charani 2/29, Deepti Sharma 2/73)
🇮🇳 India Women – 341/5 (48.3 overs)
(Jemimah Rodrigues 127*, Harmanpreet Kaur 89, Richa Ghosh 26; Kim Garth 2/61)
India Women won by 5 wickets.
Next stop: The World Cup Final.
