The Indian women's cricket team has made a resounding entry into the Women's ODI World Cup final, delivering a stunning performance to defeat the formidable 7-time champions Australia, while in a high-stakes semi-final clash held at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai, India successfully chased down a colossal target of 339 runs with 5 wickets in hand and 9 balls to spare, marking a historic achievement in women's cricket. This victory not only secured India's spot in the final but also halted Australia's. Undefeated run in the tournament, a testament to the Indian team's resilience and skill.
A Record-Breaking Chase
The match saw Australia, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, post a challenging total of 338 runs, being all out in 49, while 5 overs. This set a daunting target for the Indian side, but what followed was an extraordinary display of batting prowess. India chased down the 339-run target in just 48. 3 overs, losing only 5 wickets. This remarkable chase now stands as the highest successful run chase in the history of women's ODI cricket, surpassing the previous record of 330 runs, which was ironically achieved by Australia against India earlier this year, while the sheer scale of this achievement underscores the team's aggressive intent and ability to perform under immense pressure.
Jemimah Rodrigues' Masterclass
At the heart of India's historic chase was a magnificent, unbeaten century by Jemimah Rodrigues. Rodrigues played a match-winning innings, scoring 127 runs and remaining at the crease until the winning runs were hit. Her composure, elegant stroke play, and ability to accelerate when needed were crucial in anchoring the innings. As India sealed the victory with a boundary, Rodrigues was visibly emotional, a moment that captured the significance of her performance and the team's triumph, while her partnership with captain Harmanpreet Kaur was particularly vital in steadying the innings after early setbacks.
Harmanpreet Kaur's Crucial Contribution
Supporting Rodrigues with an equally impactful performance was captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who scored a brilliant 89 runs. Kaur and Rodrigues forged a formidable 167-run partnership for the third wicket, which was instrumental in shifting the momentum in India's favor. Their aggressive yet calculated approach ensured that the required run rate remained manageable. Although Kaur was dismissed by Annabel Sutherland, her contribution had already laid a strong foundation for the chase. Other notable contributions came from Richa Ghosh (26), Smriti Mandhana (24), Shafali Verma (10), and Deepti Sharma (24), though the latter was run out. Amanjot Kaur remained unbeaten with Rodrigues, scoring 15 runs to see the team home.
Australia's Strong Batting Performance
Earlier in the match, Australia's innings was powered by impressive centuries and half-centuries. Phoebe Litchfield was the star for Australia, scoring a superb 119 runs off 93 balls. She was well-supported by Ellyse Perry, who contributed 77 runs, and Ashleigh Gardner, who played a quickfire innings of 63 runs towards the end. Litchfield and Perry built a strong 155-run partnership that threatened to take Australia's total beyond 350. However, Amanjot Kaur broke this partnership by dismissing Litchfield, while tahlia McGrath could only manage 12 runs before being run out, and Gardner was also run out after her impactful innings.
Indian Bowlers' Efforts
Despite Australia's high total, the Indian bowlers managed to pick up crucial wickets at regular intervals. Spinners Sri Charani and Deepti Sharma were the most successful, each claiming two wickets. Amanjot Kaur, Kranti Gaud, and Radha Yadav each contributed with a wicket. On top of that, three Australian batters were run out, highlighting the sharp fielding efforts by the Indian side. These timely breakthroughs prevented Australia from reaching an even higher. Score, which proved crucial in the context of the record chase.
This victory marks India's third appearance in the Women's ODI World Cup final, having previously reached this stage. It was India's fifth semi-final appearance in the tournament's history, while the team's journey to the final has been marked by determination and exceptional performances. India will now face South Africa in the grand finale on November 2nd. South Africa secured their spot by defeating England in the other semi-final, setting up an exciting contest for the coveted World Cup trophy. The final promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams vie for cricketing glory.
