Jemimah Rodrigues delivered a masterclass performance on home turf, scoring a brilliant century to propel India past defending champions Australia by five wickets, securing a spot in the Women’s Cricket World Cup final. Her unbeaten 127 off 134 balls, adorned with 14 boundaries, was instrumental in chasing down a formidable target, setting up a final clash against first-time finalists South Africa this Sunday.
The Indian team, led by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, achieved a record chase of 341 runs in 48.3 overs, marking the highest successful chase in Cricket World Cup knockout history, across both men’s and women’s tournaments. Kaur contributed significantly with an 89-run innings off 88 balls, further solidifying India’s position as a formidable force in women’s cricket.
Australia’s Strong Start and India’s Resilient Response
Australia, having won the toss, opted to bat first and posted a daunting total of 338 runs in 49.5 overs. Phoebe Litchfield was the star for Australia, scoring a scintillating 119 off 93 balls. However, her efforts were overshadowed by India’s historic chase, which ended Australia’s 16-match unbeaten streak in the tournament, a run that began in 2022.
Rodrigues, named player of the match, expressed her emotions post-match, saying, “It was really hard these last four months, not being part of the team setup. I didn’t know I was batting at three today, but I was happy to do the job for my team. Today was not about my century; it was all about getting India into the final. It feels like a dream and hasn’t sunk in yet.”
Key Moments and Turning Points
A pivotal moment in the match occurred when Rodrigues survived a dropped catch on 82, a costly mistake by Australian skipper Alyssa Healy. Reflecting on the match, Healy stated, “We didn’t finish off well with the bat and dropped all our chances in the field. But we still hung in till the penultimate over, so we can take something from that. Ultimately, we were outdone in the end.”
India’s chase was further bolstered by a record 167-run partnership between Rodrigues and Kaur for the third wicket. This partnership was India’s highest against Australia in World Cup history, setting the stage for a historic chase. Despite losing early wickets, including Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, the duo steadied the innings and capitalized on Australia’s fielding lapses.
Implications and Future Prospects
The victory not only secured India’s place in the final but also ensured a new Women’s World Cup champion, as neither India nor South Africa has previously lifted the trophy. The match underscored the growing competitiveness and unpredictability in women’s cricket, with India showcasing their depth and resilience.
Looking ahead, the final against South Africa promises to be a thrilling encounter. Both teams will be vying for their maiden World Cup title, adding an extra layer of excitement and anticipation to the contest.
As the cricketing world turns its attention to the final, India’s performance against Australia will be remembered as a landmark achievement, highlighting the team’s potential and the emergence of new stars like Jemimah Rodrigues on the global stage.
