MUMBAI — In one of the most stunning upsets in the history of the Women's Cricket World Cup, India, powered by a breathtaking, unbeaten century from Jemimah Rodrigues, pulled off a record-shattering chase to dethrone the mighty Australia and storm into the tournament final.
Facing a colossal target of 291, a score no team had ever successfully chased in a Women's World Cup knockout match, India seemed to be staring down the barrel at 97 for 3. But Rodrigues, in the form of her life, crafted a masterful 108 not out from just 107 balls, forging a match-winning, unbroken 171-run partnership with the equally brilliant Richa Ghosh (85*) to seal a historic seven-wicket victory with over two overs to spare.
A Clash of Titans and a Daunting Target
Australia, the defending champions and the most dominant force in women's cricket, won the toss and elected to bat first on a good batting wicket at the Wankhede Stadium. They lived up to their billing, posting a formidable 290 for 5 in their 50 overs. The innings was built on the back of a commanding 98 from the in-form Beth Mooney and a characteristically aggressive 51 from captain Alyssa Healy. For large parts of the Australian innings, it looked like business as usual, with the scoreboard pressure they built seeming like an insurmountable mountain for any chasing side.
India's chase began shakily. The early loss of star opener Smriti Mandhana for a brisk 28 was a setback, and when the experienced Harmanpreet Kaur was dismissed with the score at 97, a sense of familiar dread began to creep in for the home supporters. The required rate was climbing, and the pressure of the occasion and the quality of the Australian attack appeared to be taking its toll. At that critical juncture, the match was firmly in Australia's grasp.
The Rodrigues-Ghosh Masterclass Unfolds
What followed was a passage of play that will be etched in cricketing folklore. Jemimah Rodrigues, initially watchful, began to unfurl her exquisite stroke-play. Driving with elegance and cutting with precision, she found the gaps with remarkable consistency. At the other end, Richa Ghosh played the perfect foil. Her power-hitting and fearless approach took the pressure off Rodrigues, as the duo began to dismantle the Australian bowling with a blend of finesse and ferocity.
The partnership was a study in contrast and complement. Rodrigues, the artist, accumulated runs with classical shots, while Ghosh, the aggressor, targeted the boundary ropes. They ran brilliantly between the wickets, turning ones into twos and keeping the scoreboard ticking over at an alarming rate for the Australians. As the partnership grew, the belief in the Indian camp soared, while the Australian fielders, for perhaps the first time in the tournament, began to look rattled and desperate.
Rodrigues reached her well-deserved century, her first in a World Cup, with a boundary, unleashing a roar of emotion that echoed the feelings of millions of Indians watching. Speaking after the match, a euphoric Rodrigues tried to put the achievement into words: "I'm just so proud of the team. We knew it was a big total, but we just backed ourselves and believed we could do it. To do this in a World Cup semi-final against Australia is a dream come true."
Tactical Shifts and a Bowling Attack Neutralized
A key feature of India's chase was how they strategically targeted the Australian bowling attack. They were particularly severe on the spin of Ashleigh Gardner and the pace of Ellyse Perry, not allowing any bowler to settle into a rhythm. The Indian batters' approach highlighted a significant shift in mindset:
- Aggressive Intent from the Start: Even after early wickets, Rodrigues and Ghosh looked for scoring opportunities rather than mere survival.
- Masterful Rotation of Strike: They brilliantly manipulated the field, ensuring a constant flow of runs and preventing the build-up of dot-ball pressure.
- Calculated Risk-Taking: Ghosh, in particular, took on the bowlers at crucial moments, hitting sixes that shifted the momentum decisively in India's favor.
Australian captain Alyssa Healy, gracious in a rare defeat, acknowledged the brilliance of the Indian chase. "Full credit to India, and especially Jemimah and Richa. That was an incredible partnership. They put us under pressure from the moment they came together and never let up. We threw everything we had at them, but they were simply outstanding today."
A Landmark Victory and a Nation Erupts
This victory is monumental for Indian cricket on multiple fronts. It is not only their first-ever entry into a Women's World Cup final since 2017 but also the highest successful run-chase in the history of the Women's World Cup knockout stages. The win signifies the arrival of a new, fearless Indian team that no longer seems intimidated by the aura of the Australians. The scenes at the Wankhede Stadium were electric, with the crowd erupting as Ghosh hit the winning runs, capping off a perfect night for the hosts.
Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who had a quiet game with the bat, was beaming with pride for her team. "I am so, so proud of every single member of this team. The way the girls fought back after we lost a few wickets was incredible. Jemimah and Richa showed so much maturity and courage. This is a win for belief, and it shows the world what Indian women's cricket is capable of."
The Road to the Final
With this seismic win, India has booked their place in the final, where they will face the winner of the second semi-final between England and South Africa. The victory sends a powerful message to their future opponents. The Indian team, once considered talented but inconsistent, has now proven it possesses the mental fortitude and explosive batting firepower to win from any situation, against any team, on the grandest stage of them all.
The record chase, orchestrated by the brilliant Jemimah Rodrigues and the explosive Richa Ghosh, has not only secured a World Cup final berth but has also ignited a new era of belief and ambition for women's cricket in India. It was more than just a win; it was a statement.