India on Friday claimed one of their memorable wins in women’s cricket, defeating Australia by five wickets in a nail-biting 2025 Women’s World Cup semi-final in Navi Mumbai. India achieved a challenging 339-run target, and with nine balls remaining, they scored 341/5, with Jemimah Rodrigues contributing an unbeaten 127 and captain Harmanpreet Kaur eighteenth.
The script was known – a tricky chase, early loss of wickets, and the revival of hopes by the Rodrigues-Harmanpreet partnership. However, unlike the past heartbreaks, India made it to the end as they entered their third World Cup final and first in 2017 of all time. Australia, in its measure, experienced the first loss for the first time in 16 World Cup matches.
Australia’s innings was anchored to a sensational 119 by Phoebe Litchfield, with valuable contributions from Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner. As a result at the end of the inning Australia posted totals of 338 runs. India, however, roared back with the new ball and then at the death, taking 5 for 30 and 8 for 118 in the first fourteen and the last fourteen overs respectively, the phase in which the game was decided.
In return, India, who had already lost Shafali Verma to a crisply-driven catch at extra cover in the second over, were 60/2 when Smriti Mandhana thick edged a cut to short third-man in over 14. Rodrigues and Harmanpreet combined for a magical 167 run stand utilising various pedagogies of composure high and aggression high. Rodrigues made the latter look autonomous, reaching 100 off 114 balls with a muscular mow over midwicket. Harmanpreet autonomously made computer simulations with dictation at over 100 when facing both spin and pace bowlers, including two huge sixes.
However, when Harmanpreet fell and Richa Ghosh’s cameo ended, nerves crept in. Rodrigues stood tall, though, guiding India home with ice-cool precision. A dropped catch by Alyssa Healy at 82 proved costly, and Rodrigues made the Aussies pay with a record chase in women’s ODI history.
The 34,000-plus DY Patil crowd exploded as India rejoiced. Rodrigues collapsed on the pitch in disbelief before being mobbed by ecstatic teammates.
The final will see India take on South Africa in the final. It was the first time that the Women’s World Cup final did not involve Australia or England.
Match Scorecard: Women’s World Cup 2025 – Semi-Final
AUSW: 338 (49.5 overs)
INDW: 341/5 (48.3 overs)
- Result: India Women won by 5 wickets
- Player of the Match: Jemimah Rodrigues (127*)
- Next: Final – India W vs South Africa W
