India W vs Australia W Semi Final: A night soaked in nerves, noise, and national pride as India Women pulled off an incredible chase to beat defending champions Australia by six wickets in the second semi-final of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.
Jemimah Rodrigues’ composed knock and Richa Ghosh’s fiery finishing touch sealed a famous win, sending India to yet another World Cup final his time on home soil.
India W vs Australia W Semi Final: Australia Post Mountainous 338
Australia Women looked determined to stamp their authority from the very outset, having won the toss and elected to bat.
While captain Alyssa Healy fell cheaply to Kranti Gaud, opener Phoebe Litchfield anchored the innings beautifully with a magnificent 119 off 93 balls, striking 17 fours and three sixes.
Phoebe Litchfield’s 155-run partnership with Ellyse Perry kept India under pressure through the middle overs, with the latter making 77 off 88.
Ashleigh Gardner added late fireworks with a blistering 63 off 45 balls, pushing Australia to a daunting total of 338 all out in 49.5 overs.
India’s bowlers, despite being expensive at times, kept chipping away. Shree Charani (2/49) and Deepti Sharma (2/73) picked crucial wickets while fielding brilliance from Richa Ghosh behind the stumps accounted for three run-outs, which proved vital in restricting Australia below 350.
India W vs Australia W Semi Final: Jemimah & Harmanpreet Calm the Storm
Chasing 339, in a World Cup semi-final, isn’t easy, and India started off shakily. A solid starting blast from Shafali Verma was cut short for 10; Smriti Mandhana’s mistimed loft gave Australia early hope at 59/2.
But from that point on, it was all about Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur-two batters who had embodied grace and grit in equal measure. The duo constructed a monumental 167-run stand that swung the momentum India’s way.
Jemimah, batting with the maturity of a veteran, mixed placement with precision. Her 127 off 134 balls was a masterclass in pacing a chase calm early, assertive later. At the other end, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur rediscovered her big-match flair, hammering boundaries and rotating strike with confidence.
The fall of Harman to Annabel Sutherland opened a window for Australia, but India had marched to 226/3, well in striking distance.
India W vs Australia W Semi Final: India Hold Their Nerve Against Australia to Storm Into Final
A vital partnership in the closing overs kept the scoreboard ticking just when the pressure was at its peak. The target looked challenging with less than eight overs to go, but India’s middle order held firm, blending composure with calculated aggression.
The equation began to get narrower, and the chase started gaining momentum with perfect execution and communication between the batters.
India reached 341 in 48.3 overs, sealing the win with eight balls to spare and sparking wild celebrations as they marched into the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Final.
