A "Jem" of a knock! Rodrigues' century sends India into WC final in record-breaking chase!

Thursday 30 October 2025

ICC Women's World Cup Semi-Final 2025

India Vs Australia

DY Patil Stadium, Sector 7, Nerul, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 400706, India

A "Jem" of a knock! Rodrigues' century sends India into final in record-breaking chase!

Jemimah Rodrigues scored a stunning hundred as India eliminated defending champions Australia from the Women's World Cup Semi-final in a thrilling record-breaking chase! 

Match Preview:

This is the matchup that every cricket fan loves to see! Host nation India take on unbeaten defending champions Australia, who face off for a place in Sunday's final against South Africa, who wiped out England on the back of their captain Laura Wolvaardt's superb 169. It all comes down to this. A dominant Australia side, coming into this semi-final on the back of Alana King's record breaking spell of 7-12 against South Africa in Indore, and India qualifying after beating New Zealand. A stellar show of talented players on display tonight. India's top 5 batters in Smriti Mandhana, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, Pratika Rawal, Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh, will all look to add runs against a stacked Australia side led by Alyssa Healy, alongside a star-studded team with experienced heads in Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath and youngsters in Annabel Sutherland and Phoebe Litchfield. All of whom have had stunning tournaments in this edition of the Women's World Cup. The last time these two met, Alyssa Healy's stunning hundred led Australia to win a record chase in Vishakapatnam (Vizag), chasing 331 to India's 330 winning by 3 wickets. This time, it's a high stakes knockout game. A place in the final on the online. Can defending champions Australia do the double or will India have their say in a hot clash today at Navi Mumbai.

Team News: Australia won the toss and chose to bat.

Hosts India make three changes from the rain-washed match against Bangladesh, with Shafali Verma replacing the injured Pratika Rawal, and Kranti Gaud and Richa Ghosh replacing Uma Chetry and Harleen Deol.

XI: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Kranti Gaud, Sree Charani and Renuka Singh Thakur

Unbeaten Australia make two changes from their thumping win over South Africa in Indore with Alyssa Healy returning to the team after injury and takes over from Beth Mooney as the wicketkeeper replacing Georgia Voll, with Sohpie Molineux replacing Georgia Wareham. 

XI: Alyssa Healy (C & WK), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahila McGrath, Kim Garth, Alana King, Sophie Molineux and Megan Schutt.

Ones to Watch:

Alyssa Healy: One of the world's best players and how Australia are lucky to have her back in the team. She was the reason, Australia chased down 331 at Vizag in the league stage, and going unbeaten. Now, if rumors are true, this could be her final world cup tournament if she manages to win the entire tournament. As the 7-time winners of the competition, can she lead her nation to yet another final?

Phoebe Litchfield: One of the world's rising stars in women's cricket. She's only 22, bear in mind! Having won the Hundred with Northern Superchargers in August most recently, she is out to help her nation win the world cup. Despite a shaky start, can she write the headlines for Australia?

Smriti Mandhana: Once upon a time, she was the world No.1 batter in women's cricket, and now she has helped India to a World Cup semi-final for the 3rd edition of this world cup in a row. The 27-year-old has now broken records for her nation and also in this world cup, alongside Pratika Rawal, for forming a record opening wicket stand. Can she script history alongside her teammates today in Navi Mumbai?

Harmanpreet Kaur: Like Alyssa Healy, this could also be her last tournament, with everything on the line for the hosts. Having fought through the league stage with 3 straight losses to Australia, South Africa and England, Harmanpreet has been giving her contributions as well, with both the bat and in the outfield. Despite the inconsistency, can she deliver on a big occasion today?

Australia Innings:

Away we go in Navi Mumbai, with Renuka Thakur with the new ball, to Alyssa Healy on strike! As the first ball is met with a drive to the cover fielder. Swing and shape are seen throughout, as it's a good start from Renuka, as the first over ends with 3-0 after the 1st over. Kranti Gaud shares the new ball with Renuka, as she bowls to Alyssa Healy, who rotates the strike to Phoebe Litchfield after two deliveries. Trademark Phoebe Litchfield shot! Beautifully played up and over extra cover and that's the first boundary to Australia and to Litchfield, leaving Australia at 12-0 after 2 overs. But a big moment already in the 3rd over, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur dropping captain Alyssa Healy off Renuka Thakur's bowling. How costly is that going to be for India, and can Australia seize advantage? They do pick up a couple of boundaries, as they raced to 25-0 after 5 overs. And India drew first blood. LIGHTS ARE ON, as it's Kranti Gaud who strikes the first blow, and it's a huge one too! Alyssa Healy, who has missed the past two games with injury, goes for just 5 runs. Big blow for the defending champions, as she chops on from a length ball. 

A disappointed Healy walks back as India struck the first wicket before the rain break.

After the rain break, the game continues with new batter Ellyse Perry at the middle with Litchfield. It's been a great over so far, from Kranti Gaud, just conceding 1 run, off the first 4 balls, but Litchfield compensates with back to back boundaries to end what was a good over from Kranti Gaud, to a good over for Australia despite losing Healy ending the 6th over with 34-1. Ellyse Perry's luck did go her way after an LBW referral from Renuka Thakur's bowling, it was missing leg, and Australia survived another scare. The visitors continued to build on from the rain break, as Litchfield and Perry capitalised on poor bowling to increase the partnership, as they ended the powerplay with 72-1 after 10 overs. Runs continued to flow for Australia as Ellyse Perry and Litchfield took the team to their first 50+ stand of the innings, and Litchfield reached her half century with a boundary up and over mid-off. There was nothing much to say about the next few overs, as Australia were finding the gaps, taking advantage of India's fielding, and rotating strike well. Australia reached 135/1 after 20 overs for a drinks break. After the break, Australia still continued to motor on with the total, reaching 150 in the 23rd over, and a massive moment in the game occurred at the start of the next over. Beautiful shot from Litchfield, and what an amazing way to bring up your first ever world cup century! And she's only 22!! What a time to do it! In the world cup semi-final, she has displayed her class and timing throughout. Take a bow, Phoebe Litchfield! 

Phoebe Litchfield brought up her first WC hundred at the start of the 24th over.

And from there, it was all Australia. Runs continued to flow, and Litchfield survived a dropped catch from Richa Ghosh off Amanjot Kaur's bowling. And further distain followed with two sixes from Deepti Sharma's over. And finally, in the 28th over, Amanjot Kaur had the last laugh. BOWLED!! At last, Phoebe Litchfield is gone! Tried to scoop it over Ghosh's head, but it didn't work, moved towards the off-side, looking to ramp it over, missed it completely and hits middle stump. A much-deserved breakthrough for India and for Amanjot. A stunning innings comes to an end, after a monster 155-run stand between the 22-year old and the experienced veteran, Ellyse Perry, who remains on 45*. 

A relieved Amanjot Kaur celebrates Phoebe Litchfield's wicket. 

Out comes another experienced veteran, Beth Mooney. And the two of them settled in and continued to pile on runs. Perry brought up her 50 in the 31st over, which proved to be crucial for the defending champions, as she herself, is one champion of a player. But Mooney on the other hand, couldn't get herself going, as she finds Jemimah Rodrigues at cover, of the bowling of Sree Charani. Spooned to cover and Rodrigues is not dropping that. Beth Mooney could not get herself going, as Sree Charani, joins the wicket-taking show. Australia are now 220/3, Mooney departs for 24.

Sree Charani gets Beth Mooney for India's 3rd wicket. 

Out comes another rising star who has been impressive for her country and in the Hundred. It's Annabel Sutherland who comes in with the 2nd drinks break finishing in the 34th over. After 2 overs, Sutherland didn't last long, as Sree Charani got her second wicket. Oh dear. It's chipped straight back to Sree Charani from Annabel Sutherland. This was not what Australia wanted after the drinks break. But what India really needed, as they claw their way back into the game. Australia are now 228/4 with Perry still not out.

 

Sree Charani celebrates the big wicket of Annabel Sutherland, who goes for 3.

Into the middle comes a very skilled veteran, Ashleigh Gardner, who is really skilled with both bat and ball plus, she can deliver at the death. Gardner slowly worked her way into the runs, but India struck once again, as Perry departed! GONE, BOWLED 'ER!! Good bowling from Radha Yadav, as she picks up the big wicket!! It's the set batter, Ellyse Perry, who departs after scoring 77 (88). Can this boost Australia to 300? With the fall of Perry, Australia find themselves at 243/5 with 4 balls to go in the 40th over.

The well-set Perry departs for 77 as India continued to reel in the wickets.

Tahila McGrath joins Gardner in the middle, as Australia started churning up the runs to accelerate the scoring rate. But a mix-up between the two batters ensured McGrath's stay was short-lived. Oh, what is going on?! RUN OUT CHANCE AND GONE!! AND IT'S TAHLIA MCGRATH WHO'S GONE! It was Ashleigh Gardner who struck it towards cover and McGrath ran the single, but fails to make her ground. The 6th wicket falls, and it's the new batter who is on strike. 265/6 with 2 deliveries to go.

Sharp fielding from Rodrigues saw the departure of Tahila McGrath.

Kim Garth is the next batter to come, and she is welcomed with 5 runs. 5 overthrows from the captain Harmanpreet Kaur, and a fielding blunder from India. Gardner and Garth counterattacked the Indian spinners, as they took the score past 300. And more importantly, the latter brought up her 50 before the 48th over and a crucial 50+ stand, Australia in a good position at 319-6 with the final two overs of the innings. Two sixes from Gardner to start the 49th over, but she ended up in a mix-up that saw her depart. A bit of confusion and it's a very simple run out in the end! What a mix-up between the two players, and it's the big wicket of Ashleigh Gardner, who has to depart. Garth called for yes, but had to send her back, as Kranti Gaud picks it up and throws towards Richa Ghosh, who makes light work of the run out. That's a big blow for the defending champs. Gardner goes for a well-composed 63 (45) as Australia are now 331/7 half way into the over, with Alana King coming out to the middle. 

Another mix-up saw Australia lose their 7th wicket after Gardner's departure.

Good shot from Alana King to end the 49th over, with Australia at 335/7 with the final over to go, and it's to be bowled by Deepti Sharma. 

Final over by Deepti Sharma, ball-by-ball:

Ball 1: Deepti Sharma to Kim Garth: 1 run. Straight to cover, gives the strike to Alana King.

Ball 2: Deepti Sharma to Alana King: OUT. An appeal for caught behind, and it's not given out! Wide signalled, and Harmanpreet sends it upstairs for a review. And replay shows that there's a spike on the way to the keeper. Good use of the review, and Alana King has to depart. 336/8 

Ball 3: Deepti Sharma to Sophie Molineux: OUT. CLEAN BOWLED! Straight away, the new batter, Sophie Molineux looks to sweep behind square, but ends up missing it, as it's 2-in-2 for Deepti Sharma! 336/9 with Megan Schutt the last player in.

Ball 4: Deepti Sharma to Megan Schutt: 1 run, dug into the leg side, and the batter is home, after a direct hit.

Ball 5: Deepti Sharma to Kim Garth: OUT! AND THAT'S IT! THE END OF THE AUSTRALIA INNINGS. Garth digs it towards long-on and she looks to go for the second, a bit of yes & no between the batters and Garth is comfortably run out at the keeper's end. Australia finish on 338 ALL OUT. India need to break a record chase by chasing 339 to book a place in the final to meet South Africa.

Australia INNINGS SUMMARY:

Australia Batting 338 (49.5 OVERS) RR: 6.76	India BOWLING
Phoebe Litchfield: 119 (93)	Sree Charani: 2-49 (10)
Ellyse Perry : 77 (88)	Deepti Sharma: 2-73 (9.5)
Ashleigh Gardner: 63 (45)	Amanjot Kaur: 1-51 (8)

Target for India is 339 from 50 overs at a rate of 6.78 an over.

India Batting: Target (339)

We are back after the innings break. It's been an even display from both teams, despite the advantage slightly in Australia's favour due to India's fielding. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma are out in the middle along with the umpires and Megan Schutt with the new ball to get us going in the chase. First runs for India and for Shafali Verma. A solid start for the hosts as they finish the first over with 8/0 with a boundary to Shafali Verma. Kim Garth shares the new ball with Megan Schutt and she bowls to Smriti Mandhana and nudges away for a single. Australia struck the first blow early in the second over. Big shout from Garth, the Australians all join, and GIVEN!! THE FINGER GOES UP AND IT'S SHAFALI VERMA WHO HAS TO DEPART! And she decides to review it. Ball tracking shows 3 REDS and India lose an early wicket and a review in the run chase. India are 13/1 with 3 balls to go. 

Kim Garth and Australia strike the first wicket of the run chase.

Out comes Jemimah Rodrigues at number 3. She and Smriti Mandhana steadied the ship to avoid losing wickets. India counterattacked the Aussies as Mandhana rallied back with a 6 & a 4 whilst Rodrigues took her time to settle. They reached 50 in the 9th over, courtesy of Rodrigues's boundary. Then, the second wicket fell. An appeal for caught behind, Garth is interested, Healy is also interested, but the umpire is unmoved. Wide given, but Healy reviews it after a short think. And ultraedge shows a spike! GREAT REVIEW FROM AUSTRALIA AND IT'S THE BIG WICKET OF SMRITI MANDHANA, WHO WAS LOOKING SET on 24, but now she has to depart. India lose another before the end of the powerplay at 59/1. 

Australia get Mandhana after a successful review.

The entrance of the captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, who scored a magnificent 171 in Derby against Australia 8 years ago. Can she repeat her heroics tonight? As she gets off the mark, with a single. And from there, the two of them built a heroic partnership, by slowly negotiating the bowlers, and defending well. India reached drinks at 88/2 after 15 overs. At this stage, they would've wanted a wicket less, but they have a big task ahead of them. With Rodrigues set of 43*, India continued to negotiate the middle overs, and found the gaps. Rodrigues brought up her 50 with a sweep shot from Alana King, making it back-to-back 50s in her batting. But after the boundary, a big let off for the hosts. Oh nearly! It will go down as a dropped chance, but Phoebe Litchfield almost did it! It was uppish, but the 22-year-old could only parry the ball to long-off. How costly is that for Australia? It certainly did cost them, as India continued to create a wave of attack against the bowlers, going at 6 an over. The partnership passed 100, and the skipper brought up her 50 off 65 balls. India at that stage are in control at 179/2 after 29 overs. Drinks break was taken at 198/2 after the 31st over. It is looking very poised for a great finish. Australia have been good in the field, but that once dropped chance from Litchfield, sparing Jemimah Rodrigues, and with the partnership close to 150, can the defending champions bounce back? A critical moment appeared in the 33rd over. Alana King bowling to Jemimah Rodrigues, that's straight up! Surely, Alyssa Healy has to take this. IT'S DROPPED!! I DO NOT BELIEVE IT! OUT OF ALL THE PEOPLE, IT'S ALYSSA HEALY, WHO PUTS DOWN A REGULATION CATCH, AND YOU CAN SEE THE CROWD CHEER AND COME TO LIFE!! A HUGE MOMENT IN THE GAME. OH, THAT IS REALLY GOING TO HURT AUSTRALIA. Can India take advantage?

Captain Healy's dropped catch proved to be the second of 4 twists in the game

Into the 35th over, another scare, and it's the same bowler to the same batter. Big shout for LBW, and it's not given! Umpire is unmoved, and Australia seem convinced! Healy goes for the review! With no bat involved, ball-tracking showed that the ball was missing the stumps!! This is a big moment in the game! Jemimah lives to survive again!! First, it was Litchfield's attempted stunner dropped, then it was Alyssa Healy's regulation drop, now, it's the LBW scare from Alana King. 

Irrespective of those, Australia finally made the breakthrough. Sutherland returns into the attack. It's high in the air, it's not gone the distance, IT'S NOT GONE THE DISTANCE, AND THAT'S A GOOD CATCH!! VERY GOOD CATCH FROM ASHLEIGH GARDNER, COMING IN FROM DEEP-MIDWICKET, AND PUTTING OUT A FULL-STRETCHED DIVE TO TAKE A STUNNING GRAB, TO END A MAGNIFICENT PARTNERSHIP, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, A CRUCIAL KNOCK FROM THE SKIPPER. Oh boy, did Australia need that! India still in pole position to win at 226/3.

Gardner's stunning catch kept Australia in the game.

A change in the batting order, as it's Deepti Sharma, and not Richa Ghosh who comes in. I wonder what's going to happen, as she gets off the mark. And still Jemimah Rodrigues is surviving, extrodinary stuff. Deepti and Jemimah ramped up quick runs, as India reached 250, but that also saw the end of Deepti Sharma. Gardner to Rodrigues, into the 41st over, as she calls for a quick single towards square leg, and SHE'S GOTTA HURRY! AND GONE!! THE BAILS ARE OFF AND DEEPTI SHARMA IS WALKING. She is not a quick runner between the wickets, and it's a simple piece of work for Alyssa Healy, who was never going to fumble under pressure. No problems there, and Deepti Sharma goes for a quick fire 24 (17), India are still there, but are stumbling a bit at 264/4 with Richa Ghosh coming to the crease.

The run out of Deepti Sharma was India's 4th wicket gone at 264 runs.

And a big moment occured as Jemimah Rodrigues brought up century. Megan Schutt to Jemimah Rodrigues, a single towards long-on and that is a magnificent and well-compiled century from Jemimah Rodrigues. It was gritty, it took some time, but it is excellently done. No celebrations from her, as the job is still not complete yet. India are still alive in this contest. Brilliant knock from the 25-year-old. Can she guide India home? We're about to find out, as Richa Ghosh ends a great over for India as she smacks a six off Megan Schutt's over to make it 12 runs this over. India at 276/4 after 42 overs. The final 8 overs with 63 needed of 48 balls. It is really getting intense! And for the 4th time today, Rodrigues survives yet another scare. Sutherland bowling to Rodrigues, it's high in the air, no timing at all, underneath is Tahila McGrath, AND IT'S DROPPED! OH NO!! What is going on with Australia in the field?! That's 3 dropped catches, and all 3 are of Jemimah Rodrigues, who miraculously survives once more! And that could be the final twist to the tale, as India race to 291/4 after 44 overs.

McGrath's dropped catch proved to be Australia's nail in the coffin.

Richa Ghosh continues to smack runs, as she hits a 6 & 4 off Ash Gardner to bring up 300 for India, as the hosts end the 45th over with 34 runs needed off 30 balls. India are now at 305/4 with 14 coming off that over.

But Australia got a consolation wicket, that of Richa Ghosh. TAKEN AT SHORT THIRD! Good piece of bowling from Annabel Sutherland, as she gets her 2nd wicket of the night. A back of the hand slower ball, and Richa Ghosh did not get the power she wanted, no pace to work with as she finds Kim Garth who makes no mistake with the catch. India are closer to the finish line with the over ending with a wicket. 310/5 after 46 overs. With 29 needed off 24 balls with Amanjot Kaur coming to the crease.

The fall of the 5th wicket proved to be only a consolation for the Aussies.

The 25-year-old allrounder got herself into the act, as she and Jemimah moved the home side closer to victory with India needing 8 off 12 balls.

The winning moment for India on the 49th over:

Sophie Molineux to Amanjot Kaur - 4 RUNS! Full toss on off and drives well towards the boundary! Excellent shot! 4 required off 11 balls!

Sophie Molineux to Amanjot Kaur - 2 RUNS! Over the top of mid-off and they run two! 2 required off 10 balls!

Sophie Molineux to Amanjot Kaur - 4 RUNS! AND IT HAS HAPPENED!!! THEY HAVE ONLY GONE ON AND DONE IT! INDIA HAVE DONE IT! THEY HAVE BEATEN AUSTRALIA IN A WORLD CUP SEMI-FINAL FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND THEY HAVE ALSO EQUALLED THE RECORD FOR THE HIGHEST RUN CHASE IN WOMEN'S WC HISTORY. THEY HAVE CHASED DOWN 341 AND KNOCKED AUSTRALIA OUT OF THE WORLD CUP! AND ON SUNDAY, THERE WILL BE A NEW NAME AS IT WILL BE INDIA VS SOUTH AFRICA ON SUNDAY AT THE VERY SAME GROUND!! 

Player of the Match: Jemimah Rodrigues

It took something extrodinary, courageous, and daring to try and beat Australia and it of course was Jemimah Rodrigues! Calm, composed, focused was all it took for her to create a magnificent masterpiece at the middle. Supported well by her captain, and quick cameos from Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh. A terrific player and definitely a rising star for Indian Cricket.