India beat Australia to qualify for ODI World Cup final

India’s long wait for an ICC crown stays alive — and how. Under the lights of Navi Mumbai, they stormed into their third Women’s World Cup final. Jemimah Rodrigues turned the night into her own legend, crafting a spellbinding 127 as India humbled Australia by five wickets in a heart-stopping semi-final at a roaring Dr DY Patil Stadium. Women's World Cup semifinal scorecard

With history weighted against them and destiny daring them to dream, Harmanpreet Kaur’s warriors rose as one — ending Australia’s 16-match unbeaten World Cup run, echoing that unforgettable night in Derby when Harmanpreet’s 171 rewrote belief itself.

Earlier, Australia had chased 331 in Vizag to claim the highest successful run-chase in Women’s ODIs. But in Navi Mumbai, India seized the script — hunting down 339 with nine balls to spare. Now, hearts blazing and confidence soaring, India march toward destiny — the final against South Africa on November 2.

After opting to bat first, Australia got an early reprieve when Alyssa Healy was dropped by Harmanpreet Kaur. However, Healy couldn’t capitalize on the chance, as Kranti Gaud rattled her stumps just before the rain break.

From there, Phoebe Litchfield and Ellyse Perry took charge, stitching together a commanding 155-run partnership for the second wicket.

Litchfield was initially given out on 62 while attempting a reverse sweep off Shree Charani, but replays confirmed it was a bump ball and she survived. The southpaw made the most of the opportunity, reaching her third ODI century — and her first in a World Cup — off just 77 balls. It was also the fastest century in Women’s World Cup knockout history, making her the youngest to achieve the feat.

Soon after reaching her hundred, Litchfield was dropped by Richa Ghosh and looked increasingly threatening, smashing back-to-back sixes off Deepti Sharma. However, Amanjot Kaur provided India some respite by dismissing Litchfield for a brilliant 119 off 93 balls, laced with 19 fours and three sixes.

Perry played the perfect supporting role, scoring a crucial 77. Charani then gave India some hope by removing Beth Mooney (24) and Annabel Sutherland in quick succession. But Ash Gardner’s brisk 63, along with handy cameos from Tahlia McGrath (12) and Kim Garth (17), propelled Australia to a formidable 338 in 49.5 overs.

For India, Charani was once again the standout performer — just as she was in Vizag — finishing with figures of 10-0-49-2. Deepti Sharma bowled a tidy final over and picked up two wickets but was expensive overall, conceding runs at 7.42 per over. Kranti Gaud also had an off day, going at 9.66. India’s fielding lapses, including several misfields and overthrows,



further hurt their cause.

India didn’t make the best of starts as Kim Garth dismissed Shafali Verma early. Shafali had begun promisingly with two fours on her ODI comeback before falling cheaply. Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues then began to steady the innings with a 46-run stand, but a brilliant moment of awareness from Alyssa Healy turned the tide.

Mandhana was caught down the leg side after Healy successfully reviewed a wide call. The southpaw departed for a run-a-ball 24, walking off visibly distraught as Australia appeared to have seized control.

Harmanpreet Kaur then joined Jemimah, and together they ensured India stayed in the hunt. The Indian skipper had a stroke of luck when Healy missed a stumping chance while she was on 10. Riding that fortune, Harmanpreet made the Aussies pay with a majestic 89-run knock laced with 10 fours and two sixes. The pair added 167 runs—the highest partnership against Australia in the history of the tournament—combining patience with calculated aggression.

Healy’s day went from bad to worse when she dropped Jemimah on 82, missing a relatively simple chance. However, Annabel Sutherland provided a breakthrough, dismissing Harmanpreet just as India needed 113 more. The Indian captain had been struggling with cramps, which may have contributed to her dismissal.

With 80 required off the last 10 overs, the match was finely poised. Deepti Sharma looked solid during her 17-ball 24, playing some crisp sweep shots to keep the scoreboard ticking. But a mix-up with Jemimah led to her run-out, giving Australia a glimmer of hope.

Jemimah, however, held firm, bringing up her maiden World Cup hundred off 115 balls—her third ton of the year. Richa Ghosh wasted no time accelerating, smashing the dangerous Megan Schutt for a towering six down the ground. Jemimah enjoyed another reprieve when Tahlia McGrath dropped her on 105 off Sutherland’s bowling.

Adding insult to injury, Richa edged a boundary through third man in the very next over, then followed it up with another massive six off Ashleigh Gardner. With 34 needed off the final five overs, India had their noses ahead while Australia needed something special to stay alive.

Sutherland struck again to remove Richa, who had threatened to finish things off with her 26 off 16. But Jemimah continued to guide the chase, cutting Sophie Molineux for four to bring the equation down to almost a run-a-ball.

Taking complete charge, Jemimah remained unbeaten on 127 off 134 balls with 14 boundaries, steering India home in 48.3 overs. Amanjot Kaur sealed the deal in the 49th over with two fours off Molineux, sparking scenes of joy and celebration as India completed a famous victory.