At the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, history was rewritten on Thursday night. The Indian women’s cricket team stunned the world by defeating the mighty Australia to storm into the final of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. In a match filled with emotion, courage, and drama, India chased down an almost impossible target of 339 to win by five wickets, sealing their place in the tournament’s final for the first time since 2017.
The atmosphere inside the stadium was electric. Every run was cheered like a boundary, every boundary felt like a festival, and by the end of the night, the Indian players had turned a daunting challenge into a night to remember for generations.
A Mammoth target and a nervy start
Australia, batting first, lived up to their tag of world champions. They posted a formidable total of 338 runs, thanks to Ellyse Perry’s fluent 91 and Phoebe Litchfield’s steady 78. At one point, Australia looked set for more than 360, but Indian bowlers showed discipline in the last few overs to restrict them.
When India came out to chase, the pressure was immense. The last time they faced Australia in a World Cup knockout, they had fallen short despite a brave fight. This time, the script had to change and it did.
Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma began cautiously. Shafali departed early, but Mandhana steadied the innings before being dismissed for 43. The crowd grew tense. India still needed over 250 runs, and the required rate was climbing. That was when Jemimah Rodrigues walked out to bat.
Jemimah Rodrigues: The girl who wouldn’t give up
Just a few months ago, Jemimah’s place in the team was uncertain. She had been dropped from the XI, struggled for form, and admitted in interviews that she often cried in frustration. Many critics had written her off. But in this match, she played as if she had something to prove to herself more than anyone else.
Batting at No. 3, Jemimah looked confident from the first ball. She rotated the strike smartly, punished loose deliveries, and built a rhythm that gradually put India in control. Her timing was elegant, her shot selection crisp, and her mental calm under pressure remarkable.
When captain Harmanpreet Kaur joined her, the match turned. Together, they built a 167-run partnership that broke the backbone of Australia’s bowling attack. Harmanpreet’s aggressive strokeplay and Jemimah’s composed brilliance complemented each other perfectly.
As the partnership grew, so did India’s belief. The required rate dropped, boundaries flowed freely, and the crowd found its voice again. By the time Harmanpreet fell for 89, the damage was already done. Jemimah stayed till the end, guiding India to victory with an unbeaten 127, her highest score in ODIs.
Records tumble at Navi Mumbai
The numbers tell their own story. This was no ordinary chase, it was the highest successful run chase in women’s ODI World Cup history. No team, male or female, had ever chased more than 300 in a knockout match before this.
The combined total of 679 runs 338 from Australia and 341 from India was the highest match aggregate in the history of women’s ODIs. It was also the first time that India had beaten Australia in a World Cup knockout match.
For India’s bowlers, especially Pooja Vastrakar and Deepti Sharma, it was redemption too. After a tough first innings, they returned with tight spells at the death, preventing Australia from crossing 350 a small difference that made a huge impact.
A shout-out that went viral
Soon after the match, social media exploded with praise. Among the thousands of messages, one stood out from none other than Virat Kohli. The former India men’s captain congratulated Jemimah on her ‘special innings’ and called her performance “a masterclass in composure and belief.”
Kohli’s message wasn’t just a compliment; it was symbolic. His recognition highlighted the growing unity between men’s and women’s cricket in India. When a male cricket icon publicly celebrates a woman player’s success, it signals that the sport is finally being viewed as one collective story of skill, courage, and national pride.
Beyond cricket: A story of faith, family, and focus
Jemimah’s journey is deeply human. Off the field, she has spoken openly about her struggles with self-doubt, her faith in God, and the support of her parents, who encouraged her when she considered stepping away from the game.
After the match, she said in an emotional interview, “This knock was for my family and for everyone who never stopped believing in me. I had lost confidence, but faith brought me back.”
It was a moment that went beyond cricket; it was about resilience, self-belief, and mental strength. Her story has already begun to inspire young athletes across India, showing that setbacks are not the end, but often the beginning of something greater.
The unique element: India’s changing sports culture
This victory also symbolises something larger: a changing sports culture in India. Women’s cricket is no longer a sideshow. The stands were packed, social media trends were dominated by their names, and young girls everywhere saw what belief and opportunity can create.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already announced equal pay for women’s and men’s players. The Women’s Premier League (WPL) has also transformed opportunities for domestic cricketers. Now, this World Cup run could become the defining moment that shifts public and commercial focus permanently toward women’s cricket.
one step from glory
India will now face South Africa in the final. The match promises to be a battle between two teams hungry for their maiden world title. India has the momentum, the confidence, and the emotional edge.
For fans, this campaign is already unforgettable. But for the players, especially Jemimah Rodrigues it represents something even deeper. It is proof that patience pays off, belief conquers doubt, and that no dream is too big when you keep fighting for it.
As the stadium lights dimmed and the team took a victory lap, one chant echoed louder than all “Jeetega India!”
And last night, India truly did.
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